The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured intending pilgrims, who have deposited money for 2020 and 2021 hajj, of safety of their funds.
The commission’s chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on the decision of Saudi government to bar foreign nationals from the 2021 hajj.
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He expressed sadness over the development, which, he said, was not communicated to participating countries beforehand.
He said the next step to be taken by the commission would be communicated to intending pilgrims after consultation with executives of state pilgrim’s welfare board.
“We are going to engage the leadership of states to go back and speak with the intending pilgrims. We are going to ensure that their funds are secured but we need to engage the executives of state before a pronouncement is made,” he said.
The NAHCON boss also said that inflation in the country may affect payments of 2022 hajj.
He added the commission would also be affected since it relies on internally generated revenue to fund its operations.
“To the pilgrims, the challenge is that the inflation keeps on biting on all aspect of our lives. We don’t know how this will impact on the next hajj but whatever the implication is, the airlines will be impacted because they have their own strategies which they think will earn them income,” he said.
