By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Photo credit: Business Day.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent directive for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other refineries in naira, rather than dollars, has been met with approval from motorists and other members of the public in Lokoja, Kogi State.
On Wednesday, commercial and private car owners, in interviews with our correspondent in Lokoja,expressed their support for the directive, hoping it will reduce fuel prices and consequently lower transportation costs and related expenses.
Mal. Saliu Mohammed, a commercial driver on the Lokoja-Okene route, called the president’s decision a significant relief, stating that it would help commercial drivers cope with high transportation costs and reduced passenger numbers.
Private car owners Mr. Emmanuel Alabi, Dauda Abdulkarim, and Alhaji Yahaya Ochu also praised the directive, noting it would reduce their fuel expenses and allow them to allocate funds to other social and economic needs.
Oil marketers expressed optimism that the directive would lower fuel prices nationwide, benefiting consumers and the overall economy.
Reports indicate that Nigeria could save approximately $7.32 billion in foreign exchange when NNPC starts selling crude oil to Dangote and other refineries in naira.
