By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled new products and solutions factory acquired by Solewant Group, one of Nigeria’s foremost fabrication and pipe coating firm located at Onne, Rivers State.
The new products and solutions include Solewant SSPC and Paints products, Solewant/SCOPEX Academy and Solewant- made in Nigeria steel pipe.
The unveiling ceremony was performed last week by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote who described Solewant Group as a champion of the Local Content policy.
The local content chieftain ably represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Mr. Akintunde Adelana, expressed delight that Solewant is ready to showcase capacity and competence in their area of specialization.
“Solewant has shown what can be done in steel pipe production and pipe coating solutions as shown in their plant. Their facility is number one. Confidence in ourselves is a major challenge and Solewant believes it can do it, today they are doing it,” he said.
Engr. Wabote pointed out that vendors in the business of supplying equipment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry must comply with the Board’s Equipment Component Manufacturing Initiative (ECMI) and obtain the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) issued by the Board.
He further disclosed that the Board houses about 9,000 service companies registered in the NOGIC-JQS offering diverse services including Engineering, Fabrication, Procurement, Drilling Services, Logistics, Exploration and Services, Installation and Commissioning, Inspection and Testing, Project Management, Finance and Insurance, and many others as listed in the Schedule of NOGICD Act (2010).
The NCDMB boss informed that the Board was determined to improve the patronage of in-country manufacturing facilities and had a policy on procurement of bare line pipes.
He enjoined stakeholders of the industry to take cognizance of new capabilities in-country by allowing contracting and procurement teams to visit these facilities to keep themselves abreast of latest developments in local content.
”I implore all stakeholders to continue to position themselves for these opportunities by investing in capabilities and forming tangible technical alliances and I want to re-assure SOLEWANT and other stakeholders in the industry that NCDMB will continue to identify with your growth and implement policies that protect your investments”, he said.
In his speech, the Managing Director of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, said his company is fully committed to complying with the provisions of the oil and gas industry policy as championed by NCDMB.
He said Solewant is helping the country to unlock its energy resources by increasing its production capacity and integrating more Nigerians in the supply chain.
Ewanehi added that 95 percent of the raw materials in producing steel pipes are sourced locally, noting that local production does not amount to lowering quality or standards.
