Islamic scholars in Gombe have complained about the rise in 2017 Hajj fares announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), describing it as outrageous. NAHCON had on Monday approved the 2017 Hajj fares for the respective states, with Gombe fare pegged at N1, 516, 118.90 and $800 as the Basic Travelling Allowance.
The commission also fixed N38, 000 as price of Hadaya for each pilgrim, which is exclusive of the announced fare. Speaking during a Ramadan Tafsir at the Emir of Gombe’s Palace Central Mosque, Sheikh Adamu Muhammad Dokoro, said the commission should explain the reason for the increase when the price of the dollar is now lower than it was last year.
“Last year when the dollar was higher, pilgrims from Gombe State paid a little above N1, 090, 250, but this year the Hajj commission announced over N1.5 million when the exchange rate of the dollar against naira is relatively lower than last year,” he said.
Sheikh Adamu Dokoro therefore urged the federal government, state governors and members of the National Assembly to intervene in the matter.
