The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it will sanction any state pilgrim’s welfare board that fails to implement the approved fare for the 2023 Hajj.
A statement by Mousa Ubandawaki, Deputy Director, Information and Publications of NAHCON, disclosed that some states have started charging different fares from the ‘’ones jointly agreed by the States and the Commission and as approved by the Government’’.
NAHCON on Friday announced the fares of about N2.9million for intending pilgrims depending on locations.
“The 2023 Hajj fare incidentally has eight different costs. Pilgrims in Maiduguri and Yola departure centre in the North East will pay the sum of N2,890,000 and this includes their 800 dollars Basis Travelled Allowance (BTA).
” For the other Northern States, we have agreed that the cost is N2,919,000, we now move to South which has six different price regime, Edo State is N2,968,000 and the entire South-South and South East are in this same price regime
”Ekiti and Ondo States N2,880,000, Osun state is N2,993,000 and Cross River State incidentally has the cheapest which is N2,943,000, while that of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states is N2,999,000, with all fares inclusive of $800 dollars BTA for pilgrims ” Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan said at a briefing on Friday.
Ubandawaki said in the statement: ‘’Firstly, that the total Hajj Fare remains the one announced by the Commission on Friday 7th April, 2023 which is less than N3,000,000 (Three million naira) inclusive of local charges for all category of pilgrims under the State Pilgrims Welfare Agencies and $800 Basic Travelling Allowances that will handed over back to pilgrims.
‘’It is important to appeal to all the stakeholders that we should work as a team in harmony and under a conducive and peaceful atmosphere, such that we avoid any measure of exploitation of the Pilgrims.’’
He added that sanctions such as revoking operational license and or withdrawing the 2023 Hajj Allocation would be handed down to erring states.
‘’Once again, NAHCON wishes to reiterate its commitment to the welfare of our pilgrims and ensure that they have value for money in terms of the price and facilities they will enjoy during the pilgrimage.’’
