The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj that there won’t be further changes to the fare paid.
The commission’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan gave the assurance yesterday during the opening of a workshop organised by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with NAHCON at the Hajj House, Abuja.
The workshop entitled ‘Training and capacity building for pilgrims groups and leaders’ is part of the initiative to train hajj managers on crowd control and management communication skills, information, and awareness campaigns.
Hassan said that despite the $250 increment imposed by the air carriers, the commission will not impose the extra cost on the pilgrims.
“It is true that the air carriers have increased the charges by $250 ( Two hundred and fifty dollars) because of the closure of the Sudanese airspace. Though we are still consulting to find an avenue to address the increase, however, whatever decision that we may arrive at, it won’t impact or require the pilgrims to pay additional charges,” he said.
The NAHCON chief also expressed dismay at the additional $63 charges for camp and electronic applications in visa processing costs by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj.
This, he said, is contrary to an earlier agreement by the two parties that there won’t be any extra cost at the pre-Hajj meeting.
“We have written to protest this and we are hoping for a positive response despite that we bore the cost without transferring same to the pilgrim,” he said
Alhaji Hassan, however, prayed for the peaceful resolution of the Sudan crisis to save the lives of the innocent Sudanese. He urged all feuding parties to sheath their swords in the interest of Islam, the innocent pilgrims, and the country.
He urged the participants to be attentive, stressing that the workshop has the potential to impact positively in the success of this year’s Hajj.
