RUSAL: ALSCON will Reopen Soon for Normal Business
Okon Bassey in Uyo
Authorities of RUSAL and managers of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) have expressed optimism that the company will reopen soon for normal business operation.
This was disclosed at a quiz competition to boost the academic growth of the host communities held in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“RUSAL’s management and ALSCON are firmly committed to the goal of resuming ALSCON’s operations after resolving the key issues like the legal dispute over ownership and stable gas supply after a feasible price has been agreed on.
“We are confident that through joint efforts with the support of the community and their leaders at the local and regional levels, as well as with the participation of the federal government, it will be possible to resolve all existing obstacles,” the General Manager Public Relations of ALSCON, Mr. Alexander Ashkinazi, said.
The quiz tournament tagged: ‘Rusal Educational Summit 2025’, was organised by the community’s Education Development Initiative (CEDI) with support from RUSAL, managers of ALSCON.
The competition, which took place at the ALSCON Staff Secondary School, was aimed at boosting the educational growth and development of students of the company’s host communities.
Ashkinazi, who declared the quiz tournament open, said the quiz competition was part of the company’s community social responsibility (CSR) to its host communities.
Apart from the quiz tournament, Ashkinazi said ALSCON has initiated several educational and skills empowerment programmes within and outside the company for indigenes of the Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and its environs.
“RUSAL’s management pays great attention to the educational process and everything related to increasing students’ motivation and RUSAL Optimistic of ALSCON Reopening Again for Business useful practical skills.
“We have initiated a series of essential processes for the community, including: Assisting in the Russia-Nigeria bilateral educational programme.
“Currently, 10 sons and daughters of Ikot Abasi are already involved in it. In 2024, seven students were sent. In 2025, five candidates, of which three are already studying, and two are preparing to be sent. Currently, 11 are undergoing pre-training for dispatch at the end of 2025,” he stated.
On skills acquisition training, Ashkinazi said, “As part of the Fork Lift initiative, which is an active form of the industrial attachment, 5 young men have been trained and acquired the skills to operate a Forklift truck.
“Computer classes are conducted based on our laboratory, in which two groups of 17 students have already graduated. The third group of nine people is being trained.
“We have initiated the second round of Industrial attachment in the areas of welder and mechanic – this is a pilot programme that started on March 03, 2025, and involves two representatives of Ikot Abasi.
“The Ikot Abasi Skills Acquisition Centre for girls was opened in November 2024. Now children have the opportunity to acquire practical skills by studying hairdressing, modeling, manicure and pedicure, tailoring and shoemaking. The association of young single mothers contacted us and now the center provides them with free assistance”.
Earlier the Coordinator of CEDI, Comrade Uboho Oku explained that the quiz competition was organized to promote academic excellence and boost the minds of young people in Ikot Abasi.
“We sincerely appreciate RUSAL, the managers of ALSCON for sponsorship this quiz competition aimed at promoting academic excellence and brightening the future of young people,” he said.
ALSCON Staff Secondary School emerged overall winner of the quiz competition followed by Saint Theresa Secondary School which came second. Ten schools participated in the quiz competition.
