2024 Hajj: Ndume urges FG, states to subsidize fares

By Ajayi Sodiq

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a rise in the fees for intending Muslim pilgrims. According to Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Ndume, this is unfair and inappropriate.

According to him, the rise is a calculated ruse to prevent Nigerian Muslims—particularly those who are participating for the first time—from engaging in the holy ritual.

Ndume made this claim in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The commission’s spokesperson, Fatima Sanda-Usara, released a statement on Sunday announcing the rate change, which NAHCON had announced.

The commission justified the increase by stating that it was necessary given the current exchange rate of N1,474.00 to the dollar.

The NAHCON statement states that around 49,000 pilgrims who were planning to travel under the public quota had already given the commission N4.9 million (per pilgrim) at a time when the value of the naira was still N897 to the dollar at the banks.

While new registrants are expected to pay N8.5 million each following the current rate, about 49,000 pilgrims who had previously paid the commission the old costs of N4.9 million each have been instructed to pay an additional N1.9 million each by no later than March 28.

Senator Ndume, however, stated in his statement that pilgrims who had previously paid the previous costs shouldn’t be forced to pay over N2 million, just one week before the registration deadline expires.

In enumerating the five pillars of Islam—the Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj—Ndume stated that each Muslim must make the holy journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

He made a plea to President Bola Tinubu, requesting his approval to cover the additional expenses as a subsidy so that first-timers might fulfil their religious duty by joining this year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

In a similar spirit, he urged the corresponding State Governments to cover the extra expenses for prospective pilgrims who are unable to pay the new fees established by NAHCON.

“It is unfair that NAHCON has suddenly increased the fees that intending pilgrims are expected to pay,” Ndume stated. They cannot be forced to accept such. They had made their payment in advance. If there are any modifications, NAHCON should bear the responsibility rather than the intended pilgrims.

“This needs to be addressed urgently. I request that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorize the additional fee to be paid following NAHCON’s instructions. To salvage the situation, this is the appropriate course of action.

Additionally, I’m pleading with the States from where pilgrims are travelling to subsidize their costs, particularly for first-timers. One of the five pillars of Islam is the Hajj, and it is unjust to prevent newcomers from engaging in this spiritual practice after they have already paid the previous price established by NAHCON.

It is unfair, in my opinion, to demand that they pay nearly N2 million once more. For many years, a large number of pilgrims saved money so they could take part in the Hajj. Such individuals cannot be excluded from participation.

“I firmly think that the appropriate thing to do is to lower the cost and relieve pilgrims of the additional burden—especially first-timers who should be able to take part in this year’s Hajj activity. We must assist them.

Source: Vanguard News

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