The Federal Government has commended Solewant Group for advancing indigenous manufacturing capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
This is as the company commissioned the Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints Limited (SSPC & Paints) manufacturing plant.
The facility, commissioned at the Solewant Group Industrial Park, Alode-Eleme, Onne in Rivers State, will produce decorative paints, standard protective coatings and premium specialty coating systems for steel, concrete, wood, pipelines, marine assets, refineries, petrochemical facilities and other industrial applications.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, represented at the event by his Senior Technical Assistant, Professor Bolaji Babatunde described the investment as a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria.
He commended Solewant Group for expanding manufacturing capability, developing technology and creating value within the country at a time when Nigeria is seeking deeper industrialisation and stronger private-sector participation.
According to him, every litre of protective coating produced locally helps conserve foreign exchange, strengthens domestic supply chains and supports Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
Commissioning the plant, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., said the project reflects the growth of indigenous oil and gas service companies since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and demonstrates the ability of Nigerian firms to solve critical industry problems.
The Minister hailed the project as a practical demonstration of local content, technology adoption and African industrial competitiveness.
“This is clear evidence of the growth that local service providers in Nigeria have developed over the past 15 years. I am 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,” he said.
The Minister noted that Solewant’s expansion into Namibia further signals the beginning of a broader African footprint for Nigerian energy companies, adding that the company’s presence in the country is just the beginning of what Nigerian firms can contribute towards addressing energy poverty across Africa.
Reaffirming government support for indigenous capacity, Senator Lokpobiri said the Federal Government remained committed to companies that are building practical solutions for the energy sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s energy future rests substantially on Nigerian companies, engineers, technicians and investors who understand the operating environment and are prepared to develop home-grown solutions.
He noted that the new facility is coming at a time when pipeline integrity, corrosion protection and asset reliability have become central to Nigeria’s effort to increase crude oil production.
He said many ageing pipelines require urgent attention, adding that locally produced coating solutions will help reduce evacuation constraints, improve asset protection and support the country’s production ambitions.
In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, said the commissioning represents the fulfilment of a long-term industrial vision to build world-class manufacturing capacity in Nigeria and reduce dependence on imported industrial coatings.
“Today, we are not just launching the Solewant Coating Manufacturing Plant. We are launching confidence, confidence that Nigeria has the competence, the capacity and the courage to manufacture not just what we consume, but also what we can export to compete with international standards,” Ewanehi said.
He explained that the Solewant Industrial Park, occupying about 146,000 square metres, now houses multi-layer pipe coating facilities, steel pipe manufacturing and fabrication plants, bend coating plant, skills training and certification institute, state-of-the-art-laboratories, and the newly commissioned SSPC & Paints manufacturing plant.
He said the investment was driven by a simple but urgent question: why should Nigeria, a leading oil and gas nation, continue to import the very coatings required to protect its critical assets?
At the ceremony, Solewant also unveiled 11 enhanced products under the Solguard and Novaguard brands for decorative, industrial, marine, pipeline, infrastructure and harsh-service applications. The products are designed, tested and manufactured in Nigeria to support corrosion protection, surface durability, asset integrity and high-performance industrial coating needs.
Also speaking, the Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Walde Natangwe Ndevashiya, said Solewant is strategically positioned to participate in Namibia’s emerging petroleum industry following major offshore discoveries.
He commended the Group for establishing a branch office in Namibia, describing the move as a show of confidence in Namibia and its emerging opportunities.