The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has responded to a revelation made by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who suggested that some NNPC workers have established a blending plant in Malta, which purportedly hinders local procurement of petroleum products.
Speaking at the House of Representatives on Monday, Dangote said, “Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”
Kyari, however, addressing the allegations in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, stated, “I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini Agric venture. Neither am I aware of any employee of the NNPC that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.”
This statement comes in response to public remarks made by Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Group, who alleged that the involvement of NNPC personnel in offshore operations was affecting local production. Kyari countered these claims by emphasising that “a blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.”
Furthermore, Kyari assured that the NNPC’s compliance sanction grid would apply to any employee found involved in such activities. “For further assurance, our compliance sanction grid shall apply to any NNPC employee who is established to be involved in doing so if availed and I strongly recommend that such individuals be declared public and be made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions in view of the grave implications for national energy security,” he added.
This controversy arises amidst a backdrop of changes in NNPC’s investment strategy concerning the Dangote Refinery. Recently, it was confirmed that NNPC’s stake in the Dangote Refinery has reduced to 7.2% from the initially planned 20%, due to the company’s decision to cap its investment at the amount already paid.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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