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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Nigeria's oil sector boosted by new protective coatings plant in Rivers State

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new specialty protective coatings and paints manufacturing plant, built by indigenous company Solewant Group, has been inaugurated in Rivers State, Nigeria.
  • The plant is described as a milestone for Nigeria's industrialization and local content development, aiming to serve both Nigeria and the wider African continent.
  • The facility will provide locally manufactured solutions for corroded pipelines, addressing a key challenge in Nigeria's oil production.

Nigeria's industrial landscape has seen a significant addition with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints Manufacturing Plant in Rivers State. The facility, established by the indigenous company Solewant Group, was commissioned on Friday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

This is clear evidence of the growth that local service providers in Nigeria have developed over the past 15 years.

— Senator Heineken LokpobiriHighlighting the development of indigenous companies in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

Senator Lokpobiri hailed the investment as a pivotal moment for Nigeria's industrialization and local content development. He emphasized that the plant positions Solewant as a strategic manufacturing hub not only for Nigeria but for the entire African continent. "This is clear evidence of the growth that local service providers in Nigeria have developed over the past 15 years," Lokpobiri stated, expressing his happiness at witnessing the plant's potential.

I’m very happy today that I had the privilege to witness this plant that will not just service Nigeria, but will service the entire African continent.

— Senator Heineken LokpobiriEmphasizing the continental reach of the new manufacturing plant.

The Minister further praised Solewant's expansion into Namibia, viewing it as a precursor to broader opportunities for Nigerian companies within Africa's energy sector. He affirmed the government's commitment to supporting such enterprises, asserting, "The solution to Nigeria’s energy problem lies with Nigerians. Nobody will come from anywhere to solve our problems in Africa." Lokpobiri specifically highlighted the plant's role in addressing Nigeria's oil production challenges, particularly the issue of corroded pipelines, by providing locally manufactured protective coating solutions.

The solution to Nigeria’s energy problem lies with Nigerians. Nobody will come from anywhere to solve our problems in Africa.

— Senator Heineken LokpobiriStressing the importance of indigenous solutions for Nigeria's energy challenges.

Governor Fubara, represented by his Chief of Staff Sunny Ewuhle, commended Solewant Group for choosing Rivers State as its industrial base. He reaffirmed the state government's dedication to fostering a conducive business environment to promote growth, job creation, and sustainable development. "It is a testament that Rivers State is peaceful and safe for investments," Ewuhle stated on behalf of the governor, encouraging other investors to emulate Solewant's initiative.

Our pipes are completely corroded, and we need solutions like Solewant is providing to address that problem. What you have done here is a Nigerian solution to the Nigerian problem.

— Senator Heineken LokpobiriExplaining the critical need for locally produced protective coatings in the oil industry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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