By Mustapha Adamu
In its preparations for Hajj 2022, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board said it has secured accommodation close to Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the State Pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Muhammad Abba Dambatta, disclosed this in a press briefing to avail journalists with the preparations for this year’s Hajj exercise.
Alhaji Dambatta, who just returned to Nigeria after pre Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia said ” the board had secured accommodation near Haram to enable the state’s pilgrims visit the Grand Mosque without difficulty”.
According to him, the state government had previously used majority of the accommodation while others were new as they did not exceed more than four to five years.
He explained that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had imposed social distancing of at least 4 metres space between beds.
On feeding, Dambatta disclosed that the board had established an agreement with a company to provide feeding for Kano state pilgrims, adding that the board had previously worked with the firm and is optimistic that it would deliver on the agreement.
“Feeding in Masha’ir has now been taken over by Saudi authorities, unlike before, where it was the responsibility of the state pilgrim’s boards. Now, it is Saudi Arabia that would provide feeding for pilgrims throughout the period of Masha’ir,” Dambatta disclosed.
He added that each pilgrim would pay the sum of over N500, 000 for the feeding in Masha’ir alone.
“But, we lodged complaint to the authorities that we have pilgrims with underlining ailment who cannot eat the food to be provided by Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“They have promised us that they would deliberate on our complains and do the needful,” the Executive Secretary said.
Dambatta also stated that the actual Hajj fare would soon be announced, adding that it is going to be determined by expenses on both local component and Masha’ir.
He pointed out that pilgrims should expect higher Hajj fare in view of the rise in the cost of all services in Saudi Arabia.
