It is reported that world's largest aluminium and alumina producer UC RUSAL has signed contracts with Nigerian local customers to supply about 1000 tonnes of aluminium from the ALSCON aluminium at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Three Nigerian local companies that are members of the Association of Primary Aluminium Producers have been selected to be the first customers to benefit from the deal, which took them 6 months to fulfill all required procedures and operational guidelines. APAP members use ALSCON's metal to produce value-added products like aluminium roofing sheets, aluminium extruded profiles, packaging materials for food and pharmaceutical industries, kitchenware products etc.
Mr Andrey Terentyev acting MD of UC RUSAL said that the sale of aluminium to local companies had been high on the agenda of the management of the company for several months. He disclosed that ALSCON in December 2008, hosted negotiations with APAP and reached the principal agreement on the basic terms and conditions of domestic sales.
He said that "The start of domestic sale is a benchmark in ALSCON history. ALSCON has once again proven to be a solid base for the country’s industrial development. It provides Nigerian aluminium companies with an opportunity to obtain their key raw material locally and thus reduce production, logistic and other ancillary costs they incurred whenever they imported he product."
Mr Terentyev said that ALSCON which resumed operation in 2008 was a fundamental part of the federal government's Vision 2020 program whereby Nigeria becomes one of the 20 most industrialized nations in the world by the year 2020.
He further added that the company intends to continue to take an active part in further industrial and social development of the country. He maintained that RUSAL was committed to adding to the general growth of social well being in the country by delivering necessary infrastructure, helping to develop small and medium-scale businesses and special programs.
