NAHCON releases breakdown of 90bn Hajj Subsidy for 2024
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s Chairman, Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi has explained the circumstances that followed the hike in the 2024 Hajj fees, which saw pilgrims spending as much as N8 million. He also addressed issues with private tour operators that led to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a N90 billion subsidy for the Hajj.
Mallam Arabi, who revealed this during the post-hajj press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, gave a detailed rundown of challenges encountered throughout the preparatory process.
He said, “Recall that by the final deadline of 12th February 2024, the unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates had totally complicated matters, necessitating fresh adjustment of the year’s hajj fare from the initially announced N4.9m.
“The financial projection after the foreign exchange liberalization was that each pilgrim would have to top up about N3.6m in addition to the initial payment. The situation impelled urgent intervention.
“Recognising the gravity of the situation, NAHCON promptly engaged with the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of the high cost of the foreign currency with an appeal for the government to approve a concessionary rate of N850 as exchange rate for the dollar component of the hajj fare.
“That appeal was further amplified by other reputable stakeholders in the project. We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90b instead.’’
Arabi said NAHCON devised a distribution strategy which played a crucial role in ensuring that all the stakeholders involved in the 2024 hajj benefited from the government’s support.
“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.
“Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance.
“However, new registrants were asked to pay N8,454,464.74, being exempted from the Federal Government’s intervention. It is on record that eligible officials and stakeholders from all tiers of government enjoyed the subsidy from the N90b,” he stated.
The chairman stressed that the hajj subsidy was transparently utilised and further gave assurances of improving the processes to ensure equitable access to facilities and services for all future pilgrims.
When asked about the mortality rate of Nigerian pilgrims as a result of the heat wave recorded during the just concluded pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, The Chairman responded that no fewer than thirty Nigerians lost their lives.
He clarified that only four victims passed away as a result of the heat wave recorded during the hajj.
He said, “It is very true that the 2024 hajj experienced one of the harshest weathers that had ever been experienced in the past. But the good thing about we were informed well in advance.
“It was included in the sensitisation we did and we provided the necessary tools to ensure they were safeguarded. We provided safety kits from umbrellas to newly innovated fans and other things that could keep them safe.
“But if anybody’s time is up, it is up, you can’t stop it. We tried the best we could to avert deliberate exposure to the weather. Of course, we lost pilgrims but not all died from the heat wave.
“From the 30 we lost, probably about four or five could be said to have died from the heat wave. We pray Allah to accept their souls.’’
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