The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has emphatically denied any involvement of the oil firm in the importation of sub-standard petroleum products into the country.
Kyari made these remarks on Wednesday during his appearance before a Senate ad-hoc committee investigating alleged economic sabotage within Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The committee, chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, is examining various allegations that have been leveled against the NNPCL and its operations.
Kyari addressed the committee, asserting that both he and the NNPCL have been unfairly targeted by media attacks, which he claimed were orchestrated to create a false narrative that the NNPCL is undermining Nigeria’s economy.
“We are not criminals and we are not thieves. We will protect our dignity so we can serve this country,” Kyari stated.
He further insisted that the NNPCL is committed to transparency and integrity.
“The company is faithful and will not lie to the country,” Kyari said.
Kyari also highlighted the ongoing challenges within the oil and gas industry, noting that there are significant issues that the company is aware of but cannot publicly disclose at this time.
“The oil and gas industry is bleeding, and there are things we know but cannot talk about in public until the time comes,” he added.
In a call for greater transparency, Kyari urged that future sessions of the committee be televised live to ensure that the public is fully informed of the proceedings.
This development comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding the NNPCL’s operations and the broader petroleum sector in Nigeria.