Krestnews reports that Bauchi State Government Governor Senator Bala has approved the release of the sum of ₦959,000 to each of the 1,652 intending Muslim pilgrims from the state for the 2024 Hajj exercise as subsidy for the additional cost announced by National Hajj Commission. totaling over ₦2.5 billion
The decision to pay the sum N2.5bn is, according to report, in response to a directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to each intending pilgrim to pay an additional N1.9 million to the 2024 Hajj fare.
Krestnews reports that earlier this week, NAHCON announced a significant increase of N1,918,032.91, bringing the total Hajj fare to N6,617,032.91 per pilgrim.
The report added that in view of the aforementioned, the State Governor, Sen Bala Muhammad, approved 50% payment to augment of the additional fare increment for all intending pilgrims from the Bauchi State.
This subsidy is aimed at providing relief to the intending pilgrims as they embark on the Hajj exercise.
The State Commissioner of Religion Affairs and Community Orientation, Hon.Yakubu Hamza, while briefing Media men at Government House, Bauchi disclosed this development while briefing journalists at the Government House in Bauchi explained that beneficiaries include those who have already paid the increment, those yet to commit to the development, and those awarded Hajj slots by the state government.
The State Commissioner of Information, Comrade Garba Danturaki while speaking on the matter said that the gesture was part of the efforts of the government to make life easy for her citizens irrespective of political differences.
In a remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alh. Abdulrahman Ibrahim Idris explained that intending pilgrims who have registered and paid the initial total deposit of N4.7 million and N4.5 million with the State Pilgrims Board will now deposit ₦959k out of the N1.9 million increase.
The Commission explained that the increase is brought about by the unstable foreign exchange regime in Nigeria, stressing that March 28, 2024 has been set aside as deadline for intending pilgrims to make their payments.