Mele Kyari, the CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has publicly responded to recent allegations made by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group. Dangote had claimed that some NNPC workers had established a blending plant in Malta, thereby obstructing the procurement of locally produced petroleum products.
Furthermore, Dangote declared his intention to confront these issues head-on, stating that he does not fear anybody.
Kyari addressed these allegations through a statement on his verified Twitter account, where he clarified his stance and refuted the claims. He revealed that he has been inundated with inquiries from family, friends, and associates regarding Dangote’s accusations. Kyari categorically denied owning or operating any blending plant, either directly or by proxy, anywhere in the world, apart from a local mini agricultural venture. He also stated that he is unaware of any NNPC employee owning or operating such a plant in Malta or elsewhere globally.
“To clarify the allegations regarding the 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,” Kyari stated. “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.”
Kyari emphasized that a blending plant in Malta, or any part of the world, has no bearing on NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions. He reassured stakeholders that the NNPC’s operations remain transparent and unaffected by the alleged external activities.
Kyari also highlighted the NNPC’s stringent compliance and sanction grid, which will be applied to any employee found to be involved in such activities. He urged that individuals implicated in these allegations be publicly named and reported to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions, given the serious implications for national energy security.
“For further assurance, our compliance sanction grid shall apply to any NNPC employee who is established to be involved in doing so if availed,” Kyari noted. “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.”….Seē _ Morē