NNPC CEO Mele Kyari denies owning a fuel blending plant in Malta and challenges Aliko Dangote to reveal the NNPC personnel involved. Dangote accuses NNPC workers of importing substandard petrol from Malta, while Kyari insists on transparency and sanctions for any involved employees
In a recent social media statement, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has demanded that Aliko Dangote reveal the identities of NNPC employees allegedly involved in a fuel blending plant in Malta.
This challenge follows accusations by Dangote that certain NNPC personnel have established a refinery in Malta to import substandard petrol into Nigeria.
Kyari clarified that he neither owns nor knows of any NNPC colleagues involved in such operations.
He emphasized that he has no business interests outside Nigeria, apart from a local agricultural venture, and assured that any NNPC staff found guilty would face sanctions. He urged Dangote to publicly identify the accused individuals and involve government security agencies.
This development arose after Dangote's statement at a high-level meeting chaired by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, addressing challenges at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
The meeting, attended by key industry stakeholders, including Kyari, focused on resolving issues impacting the refinery's operations.
In the wake of these allegations, the House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dangote, and oil marketers to refrain from making public accusations. Farouk Ahmed, NMDPRA's Chief Executive, had previously raised concerns about the consistency and quality of Dangote Refinery's products compared to imports.
The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, with potential implications for national energy security and industry regulation.
As the situation unfolds, public and industry stakeholders are closely watching for further developments and potential resolutions to the controversy surrounding the Malta fuel blending plant.
