PMSU-VALCO distances itself from anti-investor protest, backs strategic partner for company

The Professional and Management Staff Union of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited, PMSU-VALCO, has disassociated itself from the ongoing demonstration against government’s search for a strategic investor for the smelter.

In a statement dated *July 27, 2026* and signed by *Isaac Odor*, the union said the protest does not represent the position of VALCO’s Assistant Managers, Managers and Area Managers.

The union stated that it was not consulted, informed or involved in the planning of the demonstration. It stressed that whatever position is being advanced through the protest should not be presented to government, the public or prospective investors as the view of the professional and management staff.

*VALCO needs an investor, not a quick fix*

PMSU-VALCO said unequivocally that VALCO needs a strategic investor. According to the union, the search has been on for more than five years, during which the plant’s condition has worsened. It noted that substantial capital is required to rebuild facilities, restore production capacity and secure reliable power and raw materials — funding that cannot be generated internally.

The union said it aligns with the position of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources that securing a credible strategic investor is the pathway to reviving VALCO, and urged government to conclude the process without delay.

*Union rejects $60 million claim, puts need at $700 million+*

The union also rejected claims that $60 million is enough to restore VALCO to efficient operation. As engineers and operations personnel who work on the plant daily, PMSU-VALCO said much of the equipment is obsolete and beyond meaningful refurbishment.

“Our assessment, grounded in direct working knowledge of the asset base, is that the requirement is of the order of $700 million or more,” the statement said. It added that a $60 million intervention would only offer a short reprieve and return the company to the same position.

The union is calling for the Publication of the technical and financial basis of the $60 million estimate for independent scrutiny, Government to proceed decisively with the strategic investor process. They also called for Open evaluation of all competing proposals based on financial and engineering facts, not demonstrations and Public notice that the ongoing demonstration does not represent VALCO’s professional and management staff.

PMSU-VALCO warned that protests organized without reference to management and in tension with government’s stated position send the wrong signal to investors the company needs.