Hajj Reporters
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had a strategic planning meeting with top management of Ja’iz Bank of Nigeria (JBN) to strategize on how best to consolidate operations for payment, slaughter, delivery of Hadaya meat to pilgrims who require it and monitoring costs of Hadaya as determined by Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The meeting which took place on Tuesday came after reflections on available statistics indicating rate of Hadaya racketeering in and outside the country. The meeting resolved that ‘strong penalties must be introduced to deal with anyone involved in the swindling Nigerian pilgrims on matters of Hadaya and serious m easures will be taken to protect intending pilgrims from falling victims to Hadaya fraudsters were also drawn.
A statement signed by the commissions’ head of public affairs unit, Fatima Sanda Usara said that “intending pilgrims are cautioned against committing their Hadaya charges to any individual apart from Ja’iz Bank. They are to deposit the fees with any JBN branch closest to them whence they should be issued with a receipt confirming payment made. Alternatively, any committee set up by state pilgrims welfare boards to collect the said amount, due to absence of JBN in the area, must remit the collected funds into JBN, the authorised representatives of IsDB in Nigeria and thereafter distribute receipts to the clients.”
Consequently, onshore and offshore complaint lines through which intending pilgrims are to report any individual collecting Hadaya fees from them or someone they know will be released.
In his response, Managing Director of Ja’iz Bank, Mr Hassan Usman, thanked the Commission for the confidence reposed in them that has led to the Commission choosing them as IDB representatives in Nigeria in three straight years.
