The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to create an enabling environment where businesses can flourish. He made the statement at the launch of Monarch Alloys Limited, a pipe coating facility company, with a capacity of two million square meters per year, set up at Ikorodu, Lagos.

Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin, the governor expressed joy at the groundbreaking project and state-of-the-art facility. He said, “This marks a significant advancement in our infrastructure. This not only represents progress in our economic landscape but also serves a vital role in various sectors.

“We are also honouring the spirit of innovation, resilience and collaboration that makes this day remarkable. This also showcases the trust and confidence that investors have in Lagos and highlights actual commitment to job creation and sustainable economic development.”

The governor said facilities like Monarch Alloys are vital to the vision of the state, as they establish Lagos state as a centre for gas manufacturing and technology. He commended the management of Monarch Alloys for their unwavering commitment to excellence, safety and environmental responsibility.

Minister of State Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, cautioned that the gathering for the launch of the company was not the most important thing but its sustainability.

According to Lokpobiri, if the company is not patronised by the oil and gas industry, it will die naturally. He warned that Nigeria used to be a dumping ground for companies importing pipes from China, and a couple of companies like this found it very difficult to survive.

“I use this opportunity to say here today that dumping will be no more, we must support our industries to grow. There should be no more waivers to bring in Chinese pipes; the pipes the industry needs are right here in Monarch Alloys,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said: “We are particularly proud of this development because it fits directly into the mandate of our board, it strengthens our value chain, deepens our local capacity and affirm the commitment to building an oil and gas industry driven by Nigerians. For too long, critical elements such as pipeline coatings sourced from abroad have drained both opportunities and value from our economy. Today, the equation is shifting.”