A few days after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, claimed that some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had blending plants in Malta, it has been revealed that Nigeria imported fuel worth $2.25 billion from the foreign country over a nine-year period.
According to Trade Map, Nigeria imported petroleum oils derived from bituminous materials worth $2.8 billion in 2023, a 342% rise from $47.5 million in 2013.
Nigeria imported $59.98 million worth of gasoline in 2014, $117.01 million in 2015, and $13.32 million in 2016.
Between 2017 and 2022, no fuel was imported into Nigeria from Malta.
However, there was a dramatic increase in 2023, when the country imported fuel worth $2.08 billion. Certain Nigerians believe Dangote is correct when he claims certain NNPC employees own blending units in Malta.
During the issue surrounding his $20 billion refinery, Dangote stated, “Some of the terminals, some NNPC employees, and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta.”
We’re all familiar with these areas. “We know what they’re doing.”
Mele Kyari, the NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, has denied owning a blending factory outside of Nigeria.
Kyari said he had received numerous calls from family and friends enquiring if he genuinely owned a blending factory in Malta.
The NNPC CEO stated that he did not directly or indirectly own or operate any businesses anywhere in the globe, with the exception of a local mini-agricultural enterprise.
He also stated that he is unaware of any NNPC employees that own or run blending plants in Malta or anyplace else in the world.
“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 the blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world except for a local mini-agric venture, nor am I aware of any employee of the NNPC that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
Dangote has spoken out in response to allegations made by Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, that the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery had a higher sulphur content than imported diesel.
Ahmed also stated that the country would continue to import fuel to break the Dangote monopoly.
