By Princess Don, Uyo.
Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South, engaged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, in a significant discussion on the future of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) located in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.
The exchange occurred during the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters’ examination of the Ministry of Justice’s 2025 budget, a committee in which Senator Sampson plays an active role.
During the session, Senator Sampson raised concerns about the legal hurdles that have kept ALSCON inoperative for years, asking the Attorney-General what measures the Ministry was taking to resolve these issues and clear the path for the plant’s revitalization.
Sampson has been vocal about the urgent need to revive the moribund facility, which has been abandoned for decades due to a combination of legal and operational setbacks.
He has written to the Attorney-General, met with the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shauibu Abubakar Audu, and engaged other key stakeholders to push for the plant’s restoration.
In a previous speech at Senate plenary, Sampson described the state of ALSCON as a “metaphor for rape and abandonment,” calling for immediate Senate intervention to breathe life back into the once-thriving industrial giant.
In response, Chief Fagbemi acknowledged the ongoing legal challenges surrounding ALSCON but assured the Senate Committee that progress was being made.
He stated that efforts to resolve the disputes were underway and that, while legal battles were part of the process, there was optimism that a solution would soon be reached. The attorney general emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving the issues, expressing hope that ALSCON’s revival was on the horizon.
ALSCON, which ceased operations in 1999 due to financial difficulties, lack of gas supply, and failure to maintain critical infrastructure, was purchased by the Russian firm RUSAL in 2007 for $205 million.
However, the sale was ruled invalid by Nigeria’s Supreme Court in 2012, leading to a protracted legal dispute that further delayed the plant’s potential revival. Despite these challenges, ALSCON’s resurrection remains a priority, with a $1.2 billion deal signed in 2024 between BFI Group and the Nigerian government to restore the company’s gas processing plant.
The revitalization of ALSCON holds the potential to create thousands of jobs, stimulate Nigeria’s industrial sector, and attract much-needed investments to the country. Senator Sampson has made the revival of ALSCON one of his key legislative priorities and remains committed to pushing for its return to full operation.
As the discussions continue, the hope is that ALSCON will once again become a vital player in Nigeria’s economic landscape, benefiting the people of Akwa Ibom State and the nation as a whole.
