Minister Briefs Buhari On Ajaokuta Steel, ALSCON

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development Mr Kayode Fayemi has updated President Muhammadu Buhari on state of Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State and the Aluminium Smelting Company (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi.
Nigeria’s only aluminium smelting plant, ALSCON was shut down in 2014 following crippling protests embarked upon by the company’s staff against poor working conditions, dwindling productivity and spiralling debts.
The management of ALSCON, Russian aluminium giant, United Company RUSAL Plc dismissed almost all local personnel of its workforce while the Ajaokuta Steel Company has been moribund for years.
However, Fayemi who fielded questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja said he briefed the President on the development to ensure these companies were back to life.
He revealed that a definitive solution to the sale of Aluminium Smelting Company was being canvassed through the efforts of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
‘“The president asked for an update on Ajaokuta and the Aluminum Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi. I came to brief Mr. President on the development to ensure these companies are back to life.
I told him about the efforts that Mr. Vice President is leading, on ensuring that we have a definitive solution to the sale of Aluminium Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi, and that we also moved forward in the resolution and agreement reached on Ajaokuta Steel so that we get ready for the second concessioning.
“We have appointed an adviser we have appointed a new leadership there because the term of the last leadership has expired. Those were the things we updated Mr. President on.’’
The minister stated that the government was emphasizing solid minerals development as a vehicle for diversification of the nation’s economy.