Hajj Commission Worried Over Inflated 2023 Hajj Fare By Some Pilgrims Boards
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCOM) has expressed concern over the inflation of the official fare for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Last Friday, the commission had announced eight categories of Hajj fares, ranging from N2.88 million and N2.99 million, depending on the zone of the intending pilgrims.
The commission in a statement by its deputy spokesman, Mousa Ubadanwaki on Tuesday, said some of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards are announcing different Hajj fares different from the one agreed by the commission, boards and approved by Federal Government.
Threatened to sanction any of the boards which charge intending Pilgrims above the approved Hajj fare.
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According to the commission, it would revoke the operational licence of erring boards or withdraw their 2023 Hajj slots with immediate effect.
The commission clarified that the Hajj fare was less than N3 million which include all local charges for all categories of intending Pilgrims.
NAHCON reminded the public that the official amount approved by Federal Government and released by the agency on April 7 remains the same.
He said: “It has come to the attention of NAHCON that there are distortions floating around in the wake of announcement of the 2023 final Hajj fare by the Commission.
“It was noticed that some states are announcing fares different from the template jointly agreed upon by states and the Commission, and as approved by Federal Government.
We, therefore, want to reiterate that the total Hajj fare remains as announced by the Commission on April 7, which is less than N3 million.
“The fare is inclusive of local charges for all category of pilgrims under the state pilgrims welfare agencies.”
The statement further said: “It is, therefore, pertinent to appeal to stakeholders that we should work as a team in harmony and under a conducive, as well as peaceful atmosphere, such that we avoid any measure of exploitation of pilgrims.”
