The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has appealed to the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to waive the 2% charge placed on pilgrims’ funds.
NAHCON said if the CBN waved the 2% charge with the permission of the FG, the intervention would significantly reduce Hajj fares and lessen financial burden on Nigerian pilgrims, who are already grappling with the country’s economic challenges.
The NAHCON chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, made the appeal on Saturday, in Abuja while highlighting some of his plans to make pilgrimage more affordable and seamless for Muslim faithful across the country.
Usman revealed that reducing the cost of Hajj has been one of his top priorities since assuming office, to make pilgrimage more affordable for the Muslims.
He also appealed to the federal government to consider selling dollars to NAHCON at the official exchange rate to further lower Hajj fares, even as he In addition, Professor Usman called on state governors to support their respective state pilgrims welfare agencies by providing loans to settle payments with NAHCON before the final payment deadline set by Saudi authorities.
According to him, the body’s engagement with key Hajj service providers, including airliners, Masha’ir service providers, accommodation providers, aviation and other transportation companies have all yielded significant reductions in their various service costs.
He expressed confidence that further adjustments will be made, leading to even more affordable fares.
He, however, harped on the importance of timely payment and proper preparation for a successful Hajj pilgrimage, urging intending pilgrims to complete their payments promptly and state pilgrims welfare agencies to intensify public enlightenment campaigns.
