By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to waive the two per cent charge imposed on pilgrims’ funds to further reduce the hajj fare.
Speaking in Abuja, Saleh said one of his major priorities since assuming office was to reduce the cost of hajj and make it more affordable for Muslims across the country.
“I am confident that lowering hajj fares will bring relief to our pilgrims, leaders, and the entire Muslim Ummah,” he said.
Saleh announced that he had engaged key service providers, including airliners, Masha’ir service providers, accommodation providers, and transportation companies, in collaboration with the Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Agencies to make hajj operations more convenient.
The NAHCON chairman said the negotiations had yielded significant reductions in service costs.
Commenting on Masha’ir services, he said pilgrims were charged 4,770 Saudi Riyals last year, but following discussions, NAHCON secured a reduction of over 700 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim.
He added: “On accommodation in Madinah, the cost per bed space was 5,000 Riyals last year, but a reduction of 200 Riyals per pilgrim has been achieved. Last year’s transportation cost stood at 1,300 Riyals per pilgrim, but this year, we successfully negotiated a 130 Riyal reduction per pilgrim.
“We have worked on the airfare. Given Nigeria’s geographical diversity, airfare costs vary across regions. However, we have secured a $399 reduction per pilgrim.
These reductions have significantly impacted the overall hajj fare, and we are still expecting further adjustments.”
Stressing that NAHCON was not asking for government’s subsidies, Saleh urged authorities to consider selling dollars to the commission at the official government exchange rate.
The agency chairman noted that the request, if approved, would further lower hajj fares and take a lot of burden off the shoulders of pilgrims.
“We have estimated the dollar exchange rate at N1,550, N1,600, and N1,650. But given the fluctuations, we settled on a moderate rate. If we secure a reduction in forex rates, we will refund any savings to the pilgrims,” he said.
Saleh urged governors to support pilgrims’ boards in their states by providing loans for them to settle payments with NAHCON before the final payment deadline set by Saudi Arabian authority.
The NAHCON chairman explained that the commission has no control over payment deadline but could only appeal to the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj for an extension, if necessary. He urged intending pilgrims to complete their payments promptly to avoid any last-minute issues.
Saleh also urged states’ pilgrims’ welfare agencies and other stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to ensure that intending pilgrims understand the importance of timely payment and proper preparation to have a successful hajj pilgrimage.
The Nation