By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna
Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has made cash refund of over N21 million to some 3,212 persons in the state who performed the 2015 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims were found by the present administration in the state to have been over charged for the conduct of the hajj exercise.
Chairman of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Idris Adamu said the refund, the second by the board to such persons, followed findings that the affected pilgrims were over surcharged in the payment they made earlier prelude to the 2015 hajj exercise.
Alhaji Idris Adamu said the state Pilgrims Welfare Board is determined to live above board in it’s activities. “We must remain fair, honest and just to all in our activities” he said.
The Chairman of the board said the refund of the surcharges was not a favour done to the affected persons but their rights haven paid such excesses to the board.
Alhaji Adamu however warned Council Chairmen and their Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers who collected the cheques on behalf of the affected persons from their respective councils to ensure that the affected persons received every kobo that is their entitlement.
He cautioned against shortchanging the affected pilgrims even as he insisted that the integrity of the board must not be compromised by any selfishness.
“You must ensure that the affected persons receive what is rightfully theirs from what has been given to you for onward remittance. Any act of shortchange or underhand deals would not be tolerated”.
Meanwhile the state Pilgrims Welfare Board has reminded this year’s intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to comply strictly with the rules governing the hajj exercise.
He said any act of default could lead to a pilgrim forfeiting his chances of performing the holy pilgrimage.
He disclosed that the board was gearing up for this year’s pilgrimage.