Halt increment in Hajj fees for Muslim pilgrims - Senator Ndume pleads

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on the government to reduce the Hajj fees for first-time attendees who plan to visit the Holy Land.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, the body responsible for handling pilgrimage in the country had earlier announced a revised rate following the current exchange of N1,474 to a dollar.

In a statement released by NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda-Usara, 49,000 pilgrims who paid N4.9 million each to the commission had been informed about the additional N1.9 million each on or before March 28.

Meanwhile, new registration has been pegged at N8.5 million. She explained that the payment of N4.9 million by 49, 000 had the exchange rate at N897 to a dollar at the banks.

Ndume, displeased by the new adjustment, said the move is unfair and a deliberate plan to deny Muslims, especially first attendees the opportunity to make the trip.

Speaking on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Abuja, he noted that pilgrims who had made payment earlier are forced to make almost N2 million within one week before the close of registration.

Citing the Quran, Ndume noted that the five pillars of Islam, which are Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj, are reasons Muslims embark on the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
According to him, the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca was required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime.

Ndume urged the President to approve the payment of the extra cost as a result of the subsidy removal in order to enable first attendees to partake in this year’s Hajj.

He appealed to the State Governments to consider footing the additional cost for intending pilgrims who cannot afford to pay the new fee.

Ndume said: “The sudden hike in the fees intending pilgrims are expected to pay by NAHCON is unfair. You cannot impose such on them. They had already paid ahead of time. If there are any changes, the burden should be on NAHCON and not on the intended pilgrims.

“Something urgent needs to be done about this. I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the payment of the extra fee as directed by NAHCON. This is the right thing to do in order to save the situation.

“I am also calling on the State to subsidise the fees, especially for first timers. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is unfair to deny first timers the right to perform this spiritual exercise, especially after they have already paid the old fee set by NAHCON.

“I do not think it is fair to ask them to pay almost N2 million again. Many of the pilgrims saved up the money for many years to enable them to participate in Hajj. You cannot deny such people the right to participate.

“I strongly believe that the right thing to do is to subsidise the fee and take the extra burden off the intending pilgrims, especially first timers who deserve to participate in this year’s Hajj exercise. We need to help them.”