By Ayomide Otitoju
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, refuted allegations of the company’s involvement in the substandard importation of petroleum products into the country. He made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja while appearing before a committee led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, which is investigating alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry.
Kyari emphasized that NNPC personnel are not associated with substandard petroleum importation and expressed frustration over what he described as unwarranted media attacks aimed at portraying NNPC as an entity sabotaging the nation’s economy. He asserted the company’s commitment to honesty and stated, “We are not criminals and we are not thieves. We will protect our dignity so we can serve this country.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry, Kyari mentioned that there are certain sensitive issues that he is aware of but cannot disclose publicly until the appropriate time. He also requested that the committee sessions be televised live to allow all Nigerians to monitor the proceedings.
