The Federal Government has banned waivers for the importation of threaded pipes for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This announcement was made by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), at the commissioning of Monarch Alloys Limited’s new concrete weight coating plant in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The facility, which has an annual external coating capacity of two million square meters, aims to provide advanced corrosion protection for both onshore and offshore pipelines.
It is expected to support Nigeria’s growing demand for local manufacturing in the oil and gas industry.
During the commissioning, Lokpobiri emphasized the importance of supporting local investments like Monarch Alloys.
He assured that the government would back initiatives aimed at job creation and reducing dependence on imported materials, declaring that the era of waivers for imported pipes was over. “We have a duty to support our industries,” he said.
Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, also praised Monarch Alloys for reducing Nigeria’s import dependency and promoting industrial growth. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships and industrialization through local investments.
Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), noted that the new facility aligns with the NOGICD Act and would create significant economic benefits, including job creation and skills development. He urged industry stakeholders to deepen collaborations with local manufacturers like Monarch Alloys.
Monarch Alloys Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Atul Chaudhary, revealed that the plant was completed in just 18 months, marking a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s oil and gas manufacturing capabilities.
