Lagos State government on Monday commenced the refund of N30m to pilgrims who performed the 2017 Hajj with the state.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs and the State Amirul – Hajj, Dr Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, disclosed this yesterday.
Abdullateef explained that the money to be refunded to the hajj pilgrims was in respect of some services which were not rendered to Lagos contingent during last year’s Hajj.
He however stated that the refund will not be given to those pilgrims who still owe the state some debts.
Daily Trust reports that many states have also refunded their pilgrims in line with the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) which made a refund of N820 million to state pilgrims boards for onward distribution to their pilgrims.
The Lagos Amirul – Hajj in a statement by his media aide, Mr Olalekan Murisiku, said, “We agitated for refund of money meant for some services that were not rendered and it was granted, we shall share this money among members of the contingent to 2017 Hajj except those who are owing us,” he said.
The Amir-hajj promised that the state government will never shortchange any pilgrim in the process leading to the refund of the fund.
“Lagos will never shortchange pilgrims for whatever reason; what we are refunding belongs to the pilgrims and not a gift from the State government. In the past and in some states, the Amirul – Hajj diverts such funds for private use, but for me, nothing will follow any man to his grave except his good deeds. People should not be denied of what is due to them. Lagos will always strive to set good examples”, he explained.
According to him, each of the pilgrims that participated in the 2017 Hajj from the State will receive a cheque of N12,000 only through the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Ikeja beginning from Monday 30 April.
Dr Abdullateef, however, noted that pilgrims who had performed Hajj consecutively in the last five years and also took part in the 2017 Hajj will not be entitled to the refund, saying this is due to the Saudi Arabia’s increase in visa fee of such pilgrims.
Meanwhile, Abdullateef, also reminded intending Pilgrims for the 2018 Hajj exercise to obtain the National Identity Card to guarantee themselves a place among Lagos contingent as he said it is now a compulsory requirement for the exercise.
He emphasized that Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board would not process Hajj Visa for any intending Pilgrim without National Identity Card.
“Go and get your National Identity Card if you want to perform this year Hajj before it is too late. It is mandatory for all pilgrims. National Identity Card is a prerequisite for Hajj Visa issuance”, he said.