The Kaduna state Muslim Pilgrim’s Welfare Board on Sunday announced the sum of N1,498,126.64 as hajj fare for 2019 intending pilgrims to the Holy Land.
The new fare reflects the reduction of N51,170.45 announced by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Overseer of the board, Imam Hussaini Suleiman Tsoho, who made the announcement at a news briefing in Kaduna said intending pilgrims from the state who has already paid N1,549,297,09 will be refunded 51,170.45 as soon as possible.
He said the reduction followed the directive by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to all states pilgrims boards to reduce their hajj fare for this year’s exercise.
“So, now our intending pilgrims are expected to pay 1,498,126,64 Naira only instead of N1,549,297,0. The reduction in the fare was as a result of review of re-classification of land transportation routes to be used by Nigerians as well as reduction of their rates on the portal of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” he said.
He explained that NAHCON reviewed led to a reduction of 620 Saudi Riyals equivalent to 165 US Dollars from what was contained in the 2019 Hajj fare earlier announced by various States, the FCT, and the Armed Forces.
He added that about 2,711 pilgrims have paid for this year’s hajj exercise and that registration will continue till July 15, 2019.
He noted that the state will commence airlift of intending pilgrims to holy land of Makkah on July 10 2019.