Victor Ezeja
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has said he does not own a blending plant in Malta and does not know any employee of NNPCL who owns or operates such facility outside the country.
He also stated that he does not operate any other business directly or indirectly in any part of the world except a local mini agric farm.
Kyari’s statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 was in reaction to allegations made by chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, that some NNPCL officials operate a blending a plant in Malta from where they import fuel into the country, thereby frustrating local production of petroleum products.
Prime Business Africa reports that Dangote made the allegation in a media chat during the weekend, lamenting challenges that his 650,000 barrels per day refinery located in Lagos is facing.
The NNCPL Group CEO, however, challenged Dangote to publicly name any official of the national oil company who operates a blending plant in Malta.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery: From Production Delays To Threat Of Sale
Kyari’s statement reads: “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.”
He further stated that NNPC’s business operations is not affected by a blending plant in Malta or any part of the world, adding that the company would sanction any employee found to be involved in such illicit venture.
“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,” Kyari stated.
Reports indicate ongoing face-off between Dangote and some Federal Government agencies in the oil and gas sector.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA), Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, had last week claimed that petroleum products from Dangote Refinery were of low quality compared to imported ones.
However, Dangote countered the claim, insisting that the refinery’s products complied with international standards, especially with regards to sulfur level and were better than imported ones.
“I still stand by what I said. Go to filling stations, you can check the quality. That is the only way,” Dangote said.
“We know where they blend these things. 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,” he added.
In an attempt to intervene in the dispute between Dangote and regulatory authorities, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on Monday convened a high-level meeting that had in attendance, chief executives of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari and Aliko Dangote. The minister had in a statement after the meeting said he emphasised the importance of cooperation and synergy among stakeholders to ensure success of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector which is essential for the country’s economic growth. “All parties involved demonstrated a strong commitment to proactive problem-solving and expressed their gratitude for the leadership and timely intervention provided,” Lokpobiri added.
The $20 billion refinery which was commissioned in May 2023 and began operations in January 2024, has been producing diesel both for local supply and exports. However, it is yet to begin supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol. The company has given about three dates for commencement but failed to up.
It is, however, however, expected to begin supply of petrol in August as assured by Dangote himself amid regulatory challenges.
