•2016 Hajj fee is N1.2million
The Lagos State Government is to get a N50 million refund from the Federal Government on last year’s Hajj operation.
Some 3,047 pilgrims from the state will benefit from the refund, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef said at a Stakeholders meeting in Ikeja last Saturday.
This is sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to return the unspent funds to the owners.
The commissioner explained that the money was meant for feeding and other benefits not provided for pilgrims during the exercise.
He said the pilgrims would get N16,000 each.
AbdulLateef said: “I am glad to inform you that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved the refund of the money as soon as the NAHCON returns the unspent money.
“This is to tell Lagosians that the present administration doesn’t joke with transparency promised during the campaign.”
AbdulLateef thanked President Buhari and the commission for the decision.
Speaking on arrangements for the 2016 exercise, he said intending pilgrims would pay N1.2 million.
He noted that the state had earlier announced N950,000 but said the N250,000 difference was due to hike in accommodation and other essential needs in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi authority has increased fees items by 30 per cent which they attributed to the fall in oil prices in the world. Here in Nigeria, the usual concession on the purchase of dollars by pilgrims from the Federal Government has also been stopped.
“The government has assured pilgrims that one dollar will be sold to them at the official rate of N197. Each pilgrim will be allowed to purchase a maximum of $1,000 at official rate,” he said.
The commissioner assured pilgrims that the government would strive to make them comfortable, adding that there are provisions for replacements if any intending pilgrim withdraws because of inability to pay the balance to make up for the 2016 Hajj fees.
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