NNPC Chief Denies Knowledge of Blending Plant in Malta
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, has denied any knowledge of an employee of the company owning or operating a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
Kyari made the statement in reaction to a claim made by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who alleged that some personnel of NNPC Ltd, oil traders, and terminals have opened a blending plant in Malta.
A blending plant is a facility with no refining capability but is capable of producing finished motor gasoline through mechanical blending or blending oxygenates with motor gasoline.
Kyari stated that he is not aware of any employee of the NNPC that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world. He also clarified that he does not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world except a local mini Agric venture.
The NNPC CEO emphasized that a blending plant in Malta or any part of the world does not influence the company’s business operations and strategic actions. He warned that any NNPC employee found to be involved in such activities will be subject to the company’s compliance sanction grid and recommended that such individuals be declared public and made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions.
The controversy surrounding the alleged blending plant in Malta is part of a larger dispute between the Dangote Group and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria. The Dangote Group has accused the IOCs of frustrating the survival of its oil refinery and petrochemicals by manipulating the price of crude oil and refusing to supply the refinery with locally produced crude.
The dispute has led to a halt in plans to invest in Nigeria’s steel industry by the Dangote Group and a high-level meeting between the company, NNPC, and other stakeholders to address the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
The refinery, which commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel in January, is expected to supply petroleum products to the local market. However, the company’s plans to supply Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, refined at the refinery, have been delayed until July.
In related news, the NNPC Ltd has announced that it now owns only a 7.2 per cent stake in the refinery due to its failure to pay the balance of its share, which was due in June. The company had earlier announced plans to acquire a 20 per cent stake in the refinery.
