Lagos State Government says it will address the issue of increasing hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) with intending pilgrims.
This followed a protest yesterday by the prospective pilgrims to the State House, Alausa.
The protesters were informed in a text message to pay an additional N1,340,000 to the N1,300,000 deposited last year and 2020 totaling N2,640,000 for this year’s hajj.
The Hajj exercise could not hold last year and in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said in a statement that government would also meet with NAHCON officials and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
He said the meeting would come up shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, adding that the date would be communicated to all concerned in due course.
The commissioner said that upon prior questioning, NAHCON explained that the fare increase was necessitated by the increase in foreign exchange (forex) rate, value-added tax from Saudi Arabia, and the cost of aviation fuel for the carriers.
”We, therefore, implore our intending pilgrims in the state to attend this very important stakeholders’ meeting anytime it is called, to clarify issues and clear other grey areas. Meanwhile, we assure our intending pilgrims of continued better service and assistance in the course of carrying out this all-important pillar of Islam,” he said.
