Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has attributed the increase in this year’s Hajj fare to inflation rates in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, as well as a scarcity of aviation fuel.
The fare increased from N2.5 million last year to between N2,880,000 and N2,999,000.
According to him, the 2023 Hajj fare has eight different prices. Pilgrims departing from Maiduguri and Yola in the North East will pay N2,890,000, which includes their 800-dollar Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).
”For the other Northern States, we have agreed that the cost is N2,919,000, we now move to the South which has six different price regimes, Edo State is N2,968,000 and the entire South-South and South East are in this same price regime. Ekiti and Ondo States are N2,880,000, Osun state is N2,993,000, and Cross River State incidentally has the cheapest which is N2,943,000, while that of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states is N2,999,000.”
Hassan explained that NAHCON and the state pilgrims boards and agencies made several efforts to keep the fare at the barest minimum level, while also considering the economic feasibility and reality of the situation.
He said: “I am sure all of you will also agree with me that there has been a global trend in countries of the world to hike the hajj fare. The commission and all the 36 states and the FCT pilgrims’ boards reviewed the 2022 operation and resolved to do everything that will make us get every pilgrim registered in Saudi Arabia in good time.
”We have also discussed the issue of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) and Yellow Card and we have devised means to ensure that we are in control of the situation. We have also agreed that there will be zero tolerance for flight delay or cancellation this year and if there is such there will be sanction on the state or pilgrim or airline that is responsible for it.”.
Hassan further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the commission’s plans to operate with seven airlines this year.
Air Peace, Azman Air, Flynas, Aero Contractors, and Max Air, he says, will fly pilgrims from the 36 states and the FCT, while Arik Air and Value Jet Air will provide chartered flights for the Licensed Tour Operators.
He discussed that the NAHCON and State Pilgrims boards have agreed to close the portal for new registration of intending pilgrims using the Hajj Saving Scheme for Hajj on April 7.
“But we have also agreed that April 21 will be the day for the final remittance of funds by those who want to go to hajj either through the hajj saving scheme or through the normal pay-as-go. We have also agreed that May 21, will be the day for the inaugural flight for the 2023 Hajj”, he said.
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