The federal government has vowed to revitalise the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, committing to reconnect the facility to the national power grid to boost power generation and industrial output.
Speaking during a working visit on Monday, Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, disclosed that ALSCON, established 37 years ago, has struggled to operate at full capacity due to chronic power supply issues spanning over 27 years. He lamented the underutilisation of this strategic asset and its significant potential for job creation, local aluminium production, and foreign exchange savings.
The government’s plan involves an immediate short-term reconnection to the national grid alongside a long-term strategy for sustainable and reliable power supply. The revival of ALSCON is projected to have transformative socio-economic benefits, including the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulation of local enterprise, and economic revitalisation in the Ikot Abasi region.
Additionally, the resumption of aluminium production is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange and boosting industrial diversification. The project also aligns with efforts to harness natural gas resources productively, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing gas flaring.
Experts estimate Nigeria lost over $16 billion from ALSCON’s dormancy, but its reactivation holds promise for increased export capacity, stronger GDP growth, and enhanced regional development in the Niger Delta area.
This federal initiative signals a renewed focus on industrial infrastructure, economic diversification, and employment generation, placing ALSCON back on the path to becoming a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial future and a driver of socio-economic progress in Akwa Ibom State and beyond.
