NAHCON Chair Calls for Reduction in 2024 Hajj Fare
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Ahead of 2024 Hajj Operation, the Acting Chairman/CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi OON, fwc, has urged state ES/C to explore avenues for reducing the 2024 Hajj fare, making it more accessible for interested pilgrims.
Arabi made the call on Thursday when he hosted the Executive Secretaries/Chairmen (ES/C) of States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (SPWBs), along with representatives from the Armed Forces in Abuja.
He requested the ES/C to promptly remit the deposits they have received to the NAHCON Central Bank Account, emphasizing that these figures would determine the next course of action.
Malam Arabi encouraged them to intensify awareness in their regions, advising intending pilgrims to expedite their deposits.
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The NAHCON Acting Chairman commended them for their resilience and unity in executing the campaigns thus far, stating, “There is no time, so you have to remit whatever amount paid to your accounts for the Commission to arrange a Pre-Hajj visit to negotiate the necessary services for our Intending Pilgrims.” He expressed optimism that “our public will ultimately appreciate the outcome of our plans to reduce the 2024 Hajj fare.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by SPWBs in remitting deposits, the Chairman assured that NAHCON would gladly intervene between the ES/C and their respective principals if invited to address difficulties.
Regarding the Hajj Savings Scheme, the Chairman emphasized its significance for future planning in alignment with Saudi Hajj policies.
He urged all states to embrace and adopt the scheme, stating, “We should indeed appreciate the value of the Hajj Savings Scheme, accept, and adopt it despite some reservations so that we can soon inculcate it into our planning as we forge ahead.”
The meeting concluded with a hopeful outlook, anticipating that timely remittances with clear statistics of registered pilgrims would facilitate the computation of the Hajj fare, leading to the announcement of the Final Hajj Fare.
