A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has debunked the allegation levelled by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, that the company’s personnel is running a blending facility in Malta, which is impeding local procurement of petroleum products.
Dangote, had, while speaking at the House of Representatives on Monday, 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.”
However, in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, said he only owns a local mini-agricultural venture, and does not operate any other business directly or indirectly anywhere in the world.
He wrote: “I am inundated by enquiries from family members, friends and associates on the public declaration by the President of Dangote Group that some NNPC workers have established a blending plant in Malta thereby impeding procurements from local production of Petroleum products.
“To clarify the allegations regarding blending plant, 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.
“A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.”
The NNPC boss warned that any NNPC official involved in such actions, if proven true, will face serious consequences.
“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 stated.