Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, declaring that sustained investment in critical infrastructure and improved ease of doing business remain key pillars of the state’s economic growth agenda.
Fubara made the pledge on Friday during the commissioning of the Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints (SSPC) manufacturing plant at Alode, Onne, in Eleme Local Government Area, describing the multi-billion-naira facility as a strong endorsement of Rivers State’s security, stability and investment potential.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Sonny Ewule, the governor said the establishment of the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant demonstrated investors’ confidence in Rivers despite recent political tensions in the state.
He noted that his administration had deliberately prioritised infrastructure development to reduce the cost of doing business, attract local and foreign investments, create employment opportunities and boost the state’s internally generated revenue.
Fubara urged other investors to emulate Solewant Group by taking advantage of the state’s industrial opportunities, assuring them of continued government support to ensure businesses thrive.
He also disclosed that the state government was collaborating with relevant agencies to improve electricity supply in order to reduce energy costs for manufacturers and other industrial operators.
The governor pledged the state’s readiness to partner with the company in advancing manufacturing, local content development and industrialisation, stressing that such investments would generate thousands of jobs and accelerate socio-economic development across Rivers State.
The newly commissioned facility is designed to produce specialty protective coatings and industrial paints for the decorative, industrial and asset-protection markets, with a primary focus on serving Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as well as customers across Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described the project as a major milestone for Nigeria’s industrial sector and a practical demonstration of the country’s commitment to local content development.
He said the Federal Government would continue to support indigenous companies that add value within Nigeria rather than relying on imported products and services.
According to the minister, government policies now require protective coatings and pipe-coating projects to be executed locally, a move aimed at reducing dependence on foreign contractors, strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating more employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Lokpobiri expressed confidence that the new plant would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to meet domestic demand while positioning the country as a leading supplier of industrial coatings across the African market.
“The solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges lies with Nigerians,” he said, adding that empowering indigenous companies remains the most sustainable pathway to building a resilient and globally competitive energy industry.
Earlier, 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 world-class protective coating solutions for the oil and gas sector.
He said the company was committed to manufacturing high-quality products that meet international standards while supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, strengthening local content and expanding the nation’s manufacturing capacity.
