By; USMAN NASIDI, Kaduna
As the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage approaches, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that each intending pilgrim will pay the sum of two million, nine hundred and nineteen thousand Naira (N2.919 000) as fare for this year’s Hajj exercise.
The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Dr. Yusuf Arrigasiyyu made this known during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Kaduna.
According to him, the rise in the Hajj fare is attributed to many factors which include, cost of accommodation, VAT, rise in dollar rate, aviation fuel and distance, amongst others.
Dr. Arrigasiyyu, charged interested and intending pilgrims to hurry and complete their payment before the 21st of this month, which is exactly 9 days as the National Hajj Commission has directed or risk losing their slots.
He explained that seats would be replaced for anyone who fails to complete their payment and that the agency has been directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to forward all payments made so far before April 22.
“This year, Kaduna State has been allocated 5,987 slots by National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), which has been exhausted, but we have requested for about 500 more slots to meet up with demands.” He informed.
Speaking further, the Executive Secretary, also reminded the intending pilgrims to make sure they participate in the bi-weekly pilgrims training and enlightenment programme taking place across registration centers located in the 23 local government areas of the state.
Dr. Arrigasiyyu assured intending pilgrims of the agency’s readiness of a smooth Hajj exercise, adding that, they have already secured the best accommodation near the Haram Mosque in Makkah for easy accessibility.
