…Says he’s been grateful to God
Barth Ndubuwah,Ijeh Ekpowaji, Port Harcourt
Alode Eleme – Onne in Rivers State went agog on Friday,as Solewant Group,the Pipe Coating and Fabrication Giant took a day out to worship and praise God for his infinite mercy towards the company.
In an annual programme tagged ‘Business Open Day,’ the Group Managing Director/GCEO, Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi led his staff and partners to celebrate the day in style.
Addressing the participants during the dedication service, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi said the occasion was just to thank God for his mercy towards the company in the last five years when the pipe coating facility was commissioned.
According to him, the programme was also meant to appreciate their clients or partners for their support and to make projection for the forthcoming year.
“Open Day is our clients service day. It is important to appreciate our clients for the support and patronage and thank God for his grace. I thank everyone that contributed to the growth of Solewant Group. With prayers like this,we are strong and healthy to carry out our Operations.
“We pray that we have more jobs to run the facility,” the MD said.
In his sermon during the service, Rev Fr. Lawrence Ibhatiri of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), from Uromi Diocese, Edo State said that it is always important to draw closer to God, especially as the year comes to a close.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Holding to the word of God’ and quoting Luke 23 and Psalms 127 from the Holy Bible, the man of God said everything can pass away,but the only thing that will endure is the word of God. He described the word of God as a way of life.
“Therefore there is need to hold God firmly. So always exalt God in everything we do,” Fr Ibhatiri admonished.
The Group Executive Director, Solewant Group, Aganren Matthew said that the journey so far has been tremendous by the grace of God.
According to him, it is natural to always ask for more.
While acknowledging that there had been challenges along the line, he said that the company had always overcame them. He predicted that 2022 will be fantastic for the Group.
“We are hopeful that 2022 will be wonderful. In the next 3-4 years, Solewant will do end-to-end fabrication and protection solutions.This means that the company will have enough business that will boost its productivity and economy of Nigeria,” Matthew said.
On his part, the General Manager-Technical, of FJC- Solewant Group, Engr. Joseph Igbenosa said the Open Day was meant to give glory to God for his mercy these 5 years and appreciate our customers. He stressed that it is important to thank God for allowing the owners of the Company to establish the pipe coating plant and stay together for the past five years.
Engr. Igbinosa also said that the Solewant Business Open Day gives the company the opportunity to woo potential clients on the need to partner with Solewant Group by bringing business to her.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Host Families Landlord Association and former Eleme Local Government Council Chairman, Chief David Saluka who said he was part of the Team that was instrumental to securing the site for Solewant Industrial Area, said he is convinced that in the next 2 years, the company will embark on ‘break even analysis’. He extolled the virtues of the Group Managing Director of Solewant, pointing out that the Solewant with full of innovative ideas, will go places.
Chief Saloka urged the Federal Government to sustain implementnattion of its Local Content Development Policy to enable Companies like Solewant Group meet its target for setting up such companies.
The programme also featured interactive session with their OEMS, partners/clients of Solewant Group Management, where the MD of Selmers BV, Netherlands, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Mr. Bart Appelman joined the interactive session virtually and answered questions from participants.
He was categorical that Solewant plant remains a state-of-the-art facility that can effectively offer pipe coating application for 3″ to 56″ pipe, for anti-corrosion and Mechanical protection of line pipes. This, Appelman said, the pipe coating plant is very sophisticated and reliable.
Highlight of the event was facility tour of the facilities; Polyethylene and polypropylene pipe coating plant, concrete weight coating plant, Fabrication shop and state of the art Laboratory by guests and clients.