Following Aliko Dangote’s allegations of illegal activities in the petroleum sector, involving blending plants in Malta, data shows that Nigeria’s oil imports from Malta have skyrocketed in recent times.
According to Trade Map, a global trade statistics database, the value of Nigeria’s petroleum imports from Malta increased by 43 times over the past decade, rising from $47.5 million in 2013 to $2.08 billion in 2023.
This represents a staggering 342% increase, with Nigeria importing $2.08 billion worth of petroleum oils obtained from bituminous minerals in 2023, up from $47.5 million in 2013.
Before now, Malta was not a known major player in the oil market or a major source of Nigeria refined petroleum imports.
This development has been tagged as worrisome especially as it comes 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 opened blending plants in Malta.
“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta,” Dangote spoke at the House of Representatives on Monday, noting that the areas of the blending plants are well-known by all the stakeholders.
Dangote further said, “Even at 650,000 bpm and 700,000 bpm that we are producing was a better quality than what was imported. And I am sure most of you will have problems with your vehicle because of the bad fuel that were imported into the country, I still stand by what I said.
“Go to filling station, you can pick it up and check the quality. That is only way. But all these one somebody will bring in ship, bring in fake certificates. Some NNPC people, some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere in Malta. We all know these areas, we know what they are doing.”
Although, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, denied culpability, new developments may led to further questions.
“To clarify the allegations regarding the blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini Agric ventures,” Mele Kyari stated
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