By Danjuma Amodu
ONNE, RIVERS – Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday renewed his administration’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment, declaring that sustained infrastructure development and improved ease of doing business are central to the state’s economic growth strategy.
The governor made the declaration during the commissioning of the Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints (SSPC) manufacturing plant at Alode, Onne, in Eleme Local Government Area. He described the multi-billion-naira facility as a strong vote of confidence in Rivers State’s security, stability and investment potential.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Sonny Ewule, Fubara said the establishment of the state-of-the-art paint manufacturing plant was proof that the prevailing atmosphere in Rivers remained conducive for industrial expansion despite political tensions that have surrounded the state in recent months.
He said his administration had deliberately prioritised critical infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and attract more domestic and foreign investments capable of generating employment and boosting internally generated revenue.
The governor urged other investors to emulate Solewant Group by taking advantage of the state’s industrial opportunities, assuring that his government would continue to provide the necessary support for businesses to thrive.
According to him, the state is also working with relevant agencies to improve electricity supply in order to lower energy costs for manufacturers and other industrial operators.
Fubara pledged that the state government was ready to partner with the company in promoting manufacturing, local content development and industrialisation, stressing that such collaboration would create jobs for thousands of young people while accelerating socio-economic development across Rivers State.
The newly commissioned facility is designed to produce specialty protective coatings and industrial paints. It will serve the decorative, industrial and asset-protection markets, with a focus on meeting the needs of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as well as other African markets.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described the investment as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s industrial sector and a practical demonstration of the country’s local content aspirations.
He said the Federal Government remained committed to supporting indigenous companies capable of adding value within Nigeria rather than relying on imported products and services.
Lokpobiri noted that, in line with local content policies, measures had been introduced to ensure that protective coatings and pipe coating jobs are executed within the country. This, he said, would reduce dependence on foreign contractors while creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He expressed optimism that the new plant would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to serve not only the domestic market but also customers across Africa.
“The solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges lies with Nigerians,” the minister said, adding that empowering indigenous companies remained the most sustainable path to building a resilient energy industry.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, Engr. Solomon Ewanehi, described the project as the culmination of years of research, technological innovation and product development aimed at delivering globally competitive coating solutions for the oil and gas industry.
He said the company was committed to producing high-quality protective coatings that would meet international standards while supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation drive and expanding the country’s manufacturing capacity.
