Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has lauded the decision of the federal government to resuscitate the Aluminium Smelter Company (ALaa) at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and other moribund national assets in the country.
Governor Emmanuel gave the commendations while exchanging views with the Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr Kayode Fayemi, who called on him at Government House, Uyo .
He expressed appreciation to the Federal government for inclusion of ALSCON among the national assets to be revived describing the company as a fantastic facility with inherent potentials of generating revenue, employment and growing the country's economy.
"... the minister's visit today underscores the seriousness of the Federal government at resuscitating the ailing Aluminium manufacturing company .
This gesture is highly commendable and applauded by the government and people of the state because such a fantastic revenue and employment generating asset cannot be left to rot just like that "
He pointed out that facilities at the company were in good shape and that the country stands to derive a whole lot of benefit in view of the value chain derived from the industry.
The Governor lauded the decision of Dr Kayode to undertake assessment of ailing national assets across the country with a view to effecting rehabilitation, describing the tour as a bold step to diversify the economy and get the country out the present recession.
Mr Emmanuel passionately requested the Federal government to establish a clay Refinery in the state explaining that the state has the best quality of clay deposit which would produce excellent ceramic products and assured the Minster of ready market for the products .
He said, " the state is blessed with seven types of good quality clay which can produce quality ceramics and allied products.
We have other solid minerals which I believe your further survey would reveal. I don't want to ask for too much, revive ALSCON, give me the Clay Refinery, the rest can go to other states .
The market will evolve immediately the product is available after all consumption is the function of availability"
Governor Emmanuel told the Minister that his administration has fashion out a roadmap for industrialisation of the state by setting up a foreign Direct Investment Committee to scout for investors and guide them in their operations, provide adequate security, excellent infrastructure and enabling legislation to guarantee smooth business operation.
Earlier, Dr Kayode Fayemi said that he was in the state as part of his study tour of national assets in the country to ascertain the true state of Alumunium Smelter Company which has been grounded for a while.
He explained that the company has been caught up by series of litigation which frustrates effort at bringing it back to operation regreting that the country have been denied the potential benefits of it products hence the decision of the federal government to undertake it rehabilitation.
Dr Fayemi indicated that diversification of the country 's economy would not make a head way if the ailing national assets are not rehabilitated for optimal use adding that the present administration has earmarked intervention fund for the solid mineral sector as well as access 150 Million US Dollars from World Bank to revitalise ailing national Assets.
Dr Kayode Fayemi who was accompanied on the visit by Minister of State, Abubarkar Bawa Bwari, said the visit would afford them opportunity to explore ways of cooperation with the state in the development of solid minerals and particularly commended the industralisation drive of the state administration assuring that "Alumunium Smelter Company would come alive in the shortest possible time"
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of souvenirE by Governor Emmanuel to the Ministers Dr Kayode Fayemi and Abubarkar Bwari witnessed by the Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, Secretary to the State Government Sir Etekamba Umoren, Commissioner for Environment and Mineral resources, Dr Iniobong Essien and his works counterpart Mr Ephraim Inyang.
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