NNPC chief, Kyari, denied Dangote’s allegations, vowing to punish staff involved in overseas oil factories

Mele Kyari, Group Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has strongly denied the allegations made by Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group.

In a statement released on Tuesday via his X account, Kyari responded to claims that NNPC staff were setting up a petroleum blending plant in Malta, potentially hampering local production.

Kyari has vehemently denied owning or operating any business venture beyond “local mini-farming ventures,” and has insisted on his own non-involvement.

He further stated that he was not aware of any NNPC employee owning or operating such a blending plant anywhere in the world.

Kyari downplayed the potential impact of the Malta blending plant, insisting it had nothing to do with NNPC’s business decisions or strategic actions. He vowed to enforce NNPC’s compliance protocols, and vowed to punish any employee found to be involved in such activities.

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Kyari proposed that all staff suspected of being associated with the factory be made public and informed to relevant government security agencies for further investigation, citing potential national security concerns.

His statement read, “I have been inundated with questions from family members, friends and associates regarding the public statement by the President of the Dangote Group that some NNPC workers have set up a blending plant in Malta thereby hampering the procurement of locally produced Petroleum products.

“To clarify the allegations regarding the mixing plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or through proxy anywhere in the world except for a local mini farming business.

“I am also not aware of any NNPC employee owning or operating a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.

“The blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no bearing on the business operations and strategic actions of NNPC.

“For further assurance, our compliance penalty grid will be applied to any NNPC employee found to be involved in such matters where available and I strongly recommend that such individuals be made public and informed to relevant government security agencies for necessary action given the serious implications for national energy security.”

This statement follows recent comments by Dangote, who accused some NNPC staff of setting up a blending plant in Malta, which could potentially import low-quality fuel and undermine domestic production.

NNPC boss Kyari denies Dangote’s allegations, vows to punish staff involved in overseas petroleum plants first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.