The Ibom Minerals, Energy & Maritime Professionals Association (IMEMPA) has intensified efforts toward the revival of the moribund Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), following a high-level diplomatic and stakeholder engagement that culminated in the visit of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Joseph Olusola Iji, to Akwa Ibom State.
The strategic initiative, spearheaded by IMEMPA’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Victor Udom, and the Association’s Vice President for Solid Minerals and Renewable Energy, Engr. Pius Ebong, formed part of the Association’s sustained campaign to facilitate the resuscitation of the aluminium smelting plant located in Ikot Abasi.
The delegation, acting on the directive of IMEMPA President, Engr. Anthony Akpan, embarked on an official assignment to Abuja where they engaged critical federal institutions connected to ALSCON’s revival. Among the agencies visited were the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals.
During the Abuja engagements, the IMEMPA team was introduced to Ambassador Iji, who was then undertaking a fact-finding mission on Russian commercial and business interests in Nigeria ahead of his formal resumption of duty in Moscow.
Following extensive briefings by the IMEMPA delegation on ALSCON’s economic, industrial and strategic significance to Nigeria, the Ambassador reportedly expressed deep concern over the prolonged inactivity of the smelter plant and accepted the Association’s invitation to visit Akwa Ibom State for an on-the-spot assessment.
IMEMPA subsequently coordinated the entire logistics, protocol and stakeholder engagements for the visit, while also mobilising key stakeholders including BFIG, RUSAL-ALSCON, the Akwa Ibom State Government and representatives of the Ikpa Ibekwe host communities.
The Ambassador’s three-day visit to Akwa Ibom State, held from May 19 to 21, featured several high-level meetings facilitated by IMEMPA between the diplomatic delegation and major stakeholders connected to ALSCON.
Among those engaged were representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government through AKICORP, officials of RUSAL-ALSCON management in Ikot Abasi, the Ikpa Ibekwe Clan led by the Clan Head-in-Council, His Royal Highness Etebom Akpan Nelson Inyang, as well as the BFIG team led by its Chairman, Dr. Reuben Jaja.
The meetings provided what participants described as a rare platform for frank and constructive discussions on pathways toward amicable resolution of the lingering disputes that have stalled the reopening of the company for over a decade.
A major highlight of the visit was the interaction between the Ambassador and members of the ALSCON host communities at the palace of the Clan Head of Ikpa Ibekwe Clan. The gathering drew representatives from the twelve gazetted villages and four sub-villages within the host community.
Community leaders lamented the devastating socio-economic consequences of ALSCON’s prolonged shutdown, citing widespread unemployment, collapse of local businesses, youth restiveness and the erosion of industrial opportunities in the area.
Speaking during the engagement, Etebom Akpan Nelson Inyang appealed to Ambassador Iji to convey the concerns and aspirations of the host communities to Governor Umo Eno and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The royal father specifically called for urgent federal intervention toward the speedy revival of ALSCON and urged government to consider host communities in any future ownership and stakeholder arrangement concerning the company.
The visit also enabled the Ambassador to gather firsthand information from all parties regarding the major obstacles currently hindering the reopening and sustainable operation of ALSCON.
At the conclusion of the engagements, Ambassador Iji commended IMEMPA for its commitment to constructive dialogue and stakeholder collaboration aimed at reviving the smelter plant.
He assured stakeholders that credible reports on the present condition of ALSCON, strategies for restarting operations, and recommendations regarding future ownership structure and dispute resolution mechanisms would be conveyed to President Tinubu for necessary action.
IMEMPA, in a statement issued after the visit, attributed the success of the initiative to the leadership and support of its President, Engr. Anthony U. Akpan, members of the Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong Thomas, alongside other stakeholders including Dr. David Udoma-Michaels and Mr. Asuquo Antai.
The Association further disclosed that a comprehensive report containing its recommendations and proposed roadmap for ALSCON’s revival would soon be transmitted to President Tinubu through the office of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian Federation for further consideration and action.
The delegation was also hosted in Uyo during the visit, with accommodation provided at CEEDAPEG Hotels and Suites.
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