PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have inaugurated a state-of-the-art protective coating plant established by Solewant Group in Rivers State, describing the facility as a major boost to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and local content development.
Speaking during the inauguration, Lokpobiri said the new plant represents another important step in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector. He noted that expanding local industrial capacity would reduce dependence on imported products and services while creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
The minister commended Solewant Group for investing in modern industrial infrastructure despite prevailing economic challenges. He said the facility would enhance the country’s ability to provide protective coating solutions for pipelines, offshore facilities and other critical oil and gas infrastructure, helping to improve operational efficiency across the energy sector.
Governor Fubara described the inauguration as a significant milestone for Rivers State, noting that the project aligns with the state’s commitment to industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation. He assured investors of the state government’s continued support in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
According to the governor, the new plant is expected to generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers while supporting the growth of local businesses through increased demand for goods and services. He added that attracting more industrial investments remains a key priority of his administration.
Officials of Solewant Group said the protective coating plant was designed with modern technology to meet international standards and provide high-quality services to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. They explained that the facility would contribute to reducing project costs and delivery timelines by providing locally available coating solutions that were previously sourced from abroad.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting local content development through technology transfer, workforce training and partnerships with Nigerian businesses. It noted that the investment demonstrates confidence in the country’s industrial potential and supports ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
Industry stakeholders at the event described the facility as an important addition to Nigeria’s energy value chain, saying increased local production of specialised industrial materials would improve competitiveness and encourage further investment in the sector.
The inauguration forms part of broader efforts by both the Federal Government and private investors to deepen local participation in the oil and gas industry, reduce import dependence and position Nigeria as a leading industrial hub in Africa. Officials expressed optimism that similar investments would continue to drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen the country’s manufacturing sector.
