August 08, 2024
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has urged Nigerians to stop calling the company’s staff thieves.
This is as he said most problems in the country’s petroleum industry have nothing to do with his organisation. Kyari spoke when he appeared before an ad hoc senate committee on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. He emphasised that the NNPC is committed to protecting the nation’s interests and is not involved in any criminal activities.
According to Kyari, “NNPCL is loyal and faithful to the country. Most problems in the petroleum industry have nothing to do with NNPCL. We are faithful and loyal to the economic interest of this country.
“We are not criminals. We are not thieves. But we will protect our dignity and honour.”
The Senate committee, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, is investigating allegations of substandard petroleum products being imported into Nigeria.
The scrutiny intensified following comments by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, who, during a July appearance before the House of Representatives, alleged that some NNPC personnel, along with oil traders, had established a blending plant in Malta.
“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPCL people and some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing,” the billionaire reportedly said.
Reacting to the allegation, Kyari, in a post via X, said he was not aware of any employee of the NNPCL that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
This is a developing story, stay with us…
