The Federal Government has announced an end to the issuance of import waivers for threaded pipes used in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This directive was issued by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the commissioning of Monarch Alloys Limited’s state-of-the-art concrete weight coating plant in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The facility, which boasts an annual external coating capacity of two million square meters and an internal coating capacity of one million square meters, is equipped to support both onshore and offshore pipeline needs. It features advanced corrosion protection solutions and a wide range of coating systems tailored for extended pipeline lengths and deep-sea installations.
Speaking at the commissioning, Senator Lokpobiri emphasized the significance of patronizing local investments such as Monarch Alloys to stimulate further industrial development in the sector. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the Nigerian content policy and affirmed the administration’s stance against the dumping of foreign-manufactured pipes.
“We can no longer allow the indiscriminate importation of pipes when we have the capacity locally. It is our duty to protect and grow local industry,” he said, urging the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to enforce the new directive.
Also in attendance, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, commended the promoters of the facility for enhancing Nigeria’s industrial base and reducing reliance on imports. He noted that the plant aligns with the ministry’s agenda of value addition, job creation, and sustainable industrial growth.
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration between government and the private sector. Industrialisation is the pathway to economic growth, and we are committed to creating an enabling environment for such investments,” Enoh stated.
Engineer Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, lauded the development, noting that it reflects the Board’s core mandate under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. He explained that the plant meets the requirements for the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC), which prioritizes manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) committed to domestic production.
“For too long, key components such as pipeline coatings have been imported, draining opportunities from our economy. Facilities like this change that narrative. This plant introduces high-performance 3LPE and concrete weight coating technologies locally, ensuring technical and economic gains remain within Nigeria,” Ogbe said.
He further outlined the benefits of the facility, including job creation, skills development, improved local manufacturing, and logistics optimization—all contributing significantly to national economic development.
In his welcome address, Atul Chaudhary, Managing Director of Monarch Alloys Limited, revealed that the company completed the investment in just 18 months. He also announced plans to establish a Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded (LSAW) pipe mill in Nigeria, further deepening the company’s commitment to the oil and gas industry.