NEW DEVELOPMENT: NAHCON Increases Hajj Fare by N1.9 Million
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NEW DEVELOPMENT: NAHCON Increases Hajj Fare by N1.9 Million
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an increase in the fare for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by N1,918,032.91, citing the ongoing forex crisis in Nigeria.
The deadline for payment of the revised amount is set for March 28, 2024.
This update was conveyed in a statement issued by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Farima Sanda Usara.
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INCNews247 reports that NAHCON had fixed the fare for this year’s Hajj at N4.9 million, prompting calls from various stakeholders for intervention from the Federal Government.
However, the commission has now directed individuals who have already made payments to augment their initial amount with an additional N1.9 million, bringing the total cost to N6.8 million.
Usara further clarified the challenges surrounding the 2024 Hajj fare arrangements, attributing delays to non-timely remittances and currency fluctuations.
She added that efforts by the Federal Government to mitigate costs were acknowledged, yet constraints persisted, leaving about 50,000 pilgrims under the Public Quota in limbo.
Usara, therefore, urged state governments and affluent individuals to intervene on behalf of their pilgrims, noting the ongoing open window for support.
