A few days after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, claimed that some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) operate blending plants in Malta, new data reveals that Nigeria imported $2.25 billion worth of fuel from Malta over the past nine years.
Trade Map data shows that Nigeria’s import of petroleum oils derived from bituminous minerals surged to $2.8 billion in 2023, a significant increase of 342% from $47.5 million in 2013.
In previous years, Nigeria’s fuel imports from Malta were lower: $59.98 million in 2014, $117.01 million in 2015, and $13.32 million in 2016.
There were no recorded imports from Malta between 2017 and 2022, but in 2023, the imports skyrocketed to $2.08 billion.
Dangote’s assertion about NNPC personnel owning blending plants in Malta has sparked speculation, with some Nigerians questioning the integrity of the claims.
Dangote had stated, “Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people, and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”
In response, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari has denied any involvement with blending plants outside Nigeria.
Kyari addressed the public speculation, clarifying that he does not own or operate any business, either directly or indirectly, beyond a local agricultural venture. He also asserted that he is unaware of any NNPC employee with a blending plant in Malta or elsewhere.
Kyari expressed frustration over the allegations, stating, “I am inundated by inquiries from family, friends, and associates regarding Dangote’s claims about NNPC workers owning a blending plant in Malta. To clarify, I do not own or operate any such business, and I am not aware of any NNPC employee doing so.”
Dangote’s comments come amid controversy over his $20 billion refinery. Recently, Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, accused Dangote’s refinery of producing diesel with higher sulfur content compared to imported fuels.
Dangote dismissed these claims as an attempt to undermine his refinery and said that continued fuel imports are a strategy to prevent a monopoly by his refinery.
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