The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged state pilgrims welfare boards to remit funds collected from intending pilgrims by December or risk reduction of seats allocated to them.
In a statement yesterday, NAHCON’s Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, said states needed to expeditiously remit a reasonable percentage of the funds in order to secure the slots allocated to their respective States.
Ubandawaki cited a letter addressed to chief executives of boards by the Director, Finance and Accounts of NAHCON, Dr Salihu Usman, which stated that the call became necessary due to the timeline issued by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
He explained that failure to comply with the directive would be interpreted as being unprepared or not interested in participating in the 2024 Hajj Exercise.
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“He further stated that non-compliance with the directive would leave the commission with no alternative or option but to reduce the allocation of such states and allot it to states that have completed their remittance and in need of more slots,” the statement said.
He pointed out that it was important that the commission’s IBAN account be adequately funded by December for the commission to make payments to undertake or process some activities in the Kingdom.
NAHCON called for continued cooperation and understanding from boards in order to collectively work towards meeting the deadline and facilitating a hitch-free 2024 Hajj Exercise.
