Following Aliko Dangote’s allegations of illicit activities in the petroleum sector involving blending plants in Malta, data indicates a dramatic rise in Nigeria’s oil imports from Malta.
According to Trade Map, a global trade statistics database, the value of Nigeria’s petroleum imports from Malta surged by 43 times over the past decade, escalating from $47.5 million in 2013 to $2.08 billion in 2023. This marks a staggering 342% increase, with Nigeria importing $2.08 billion worth of petroleum oils derived from bituminous minerals in 2023, up from $47.5 million in 2013.
Malta was previously not recognized as a significant player in the oil market or a major source of Nigeria’s refined petroleum imports. This development has raised concerns, especially following allegations from Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, that some personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, oil traders, and terminals have established blending plants in Malta.
“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people, and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta,” Dangote said at the House of Representatives on Monday, noting that the locations of these blending plants are well-known among stakeholders.
Dangote further stated, “Even at 650,000 barrels per day and 700,000 barrels per day that we are producing, it was a better quality than what was imported. I am sure most of you have problems with your vehicles because of the bad fuel imported into the country. I still stand by what I said.
“Go to a filling station, you can pick it up and check the quality. That is the only way. But someone will bring in a ship with fake certificates. Some NNPC people, some traders, have opened a blending plant somewhere in Malta. We all know these areas and what they are doing.”
Although NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari denied any wrongdoing, new developments might prompt further inquiries.
“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 agricultural venture,” Mele Kyari stated.
Nothing we no go see or hear
Nothing we never see, nothing we never hear
This is not surprising. It isn’t.
Forget these people🙅🏾♀️