The Russian firm which should inject life into ALSCON is turning out to fritter its resources.
When workers at the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State,
staged a grounding sit-in at the troubled firm last week, the action
rekindled concerns about the lingering ownership tussle that has
crippled operations at the facility for years.
The staffers, supported by youths in the host communities, were
protesting the recent decision of UC RUSAL, the Russian firm claiming
ownership of the company, to sack 475 of the 700-strong workforce after
shutting down production and closing the plant indefinitely.
RUSAL blamed the decisions on constraints of inadequate gas supply,
and epileptic power supply to sustain normal operations, giving the
urgent resolution of these issues as condition for immediate restoration
of normal business at the plant.
