Following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive asking commercial banks to open for business on Saturday and Sunday to expedite the change of old currency, bank customers in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of Delta State believed to be Christians shunned service on Sunday, 29th January 2023.
The anxious customers gathered at the premises of commercial banks monitored by Delta State News Bulletin as early as 8 am.
Most of them refused to talk on camera or be recorded.
However, those that spoke explained that they do not want to be caught up with the rush for the change of old currency on the last day of the exercise.
Others complained that commercial banks did not issue new currency but accept old ones as at Saturday, 28th January, 2023.
The ugly trend may have affected tithes and offerings in churches as bank details were given to worshippers in a church attended by our correspondent.
It was reported that the new currency was available in the black market as at the time of filing this report and that two thousand naira was charged on every ten thousand naira withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria has confirmed the report of extension of deadline on the change of old currency to February 10th, 2023.
Those that spoke to this journalist expressed delight over the extension of the deadline.
One of them, Chief Akpojotor Adjarho responded that, “If it is true, then it is a welcome development”
He, however, advised that Central Bank should monitor the exercise in order to checkmate corrupt commercial bank managers.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Udu called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the gesture to the petroleum industry by implementing measures that will reduce the price of fuel and put an end to the scarcity of the petroleum product.