Kyari to Dangote: Identify NNPC officials behind Malta blending plant

NNPC CEO Mele Kyari denies ownership of a blending plant in Malta and states he is unaware of any NNPC employee owning such a facility.

Kyari called on Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, to publicly disclose any NNPC personnel linked to a blending plant in Malta in a Tuesday post on X (formerly Twitter).

Over the weekend, Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and owner of a $20 billion refinery in Lagos, alleged that certain NNPC personnel and oil traders are running a blending plant in Malta, hindering local petroleum product production.

Regulatory authorities raised concerns about the petroleum product quality from the refinery at Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Dangote, a prominent industrialist, asserts that his refinery produces superior quality compared to imported products, which he claims have damaged many vehicles. He stands by his statement, urging scrutiny at filling stations to verify product quality.

He also alleges that NNPC officials and traders operate a blending plant near Malta, a practice he criticizes for its impact on local refining efforts.

Kyari responded on Tuesday, stating, “I do not own or operate any business globally except for a local mini agric venture. No NNPC employee, to my knowledge, owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or elsewhere.”

He emphasized that any blending plant’s activities, whether in Malta or elsewhere, do not affect NNPC’s operations or strategies.

Kyari urged that any involved NNPC personnel should be publicly disclosed and handed over to government security agencies due to the serious implications for national energy security, subject to NNPC’s compliance sanctions.

In December last year, Dangote launched operations at his massive facility in Lagos, starting with 350,000 barrels per day. The refinery aims to reach its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by year-end.

Currently, the refinery is supplying diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in Nigeria. Petrol supply is slated to begin in August, despite facing regulatory challenges.

Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.

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