The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) increased the rate for the 2024 Hajj citing foreign exchange rate adjustment to N8.5million and has equally registered pilgrims to pay additional N1.9million, while this the third increment in the past couple of months
Penpushing reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the commission, Fatima Sanda-Usara, adding that about 49,000 pilgrims who had earlier paid the old fees of N4.9 million each to the commission are to pay an additional N1.9 million each on or before 28 March, while new registration has been fixed at N8.5 million.
The commission in the statement explained reason for the hike, stating that the current rate of N1,474.00 to a dollar makes it imperative to make the adjustment, adding that about 49,000 intending pilgrims under the public quota paid N4.9 million to the commission when the naira was still at N897 to a dollar at the banks.
Penpushing further reports that the commission added that all efforts to maintain the existing fare have been futile, hence the decision to announce a new rate.
‘With naira having appreciated to N1,474.00 to a dollar over the preceding week and after due consultation with stakeholders, coupled with NAHCON’s desire to ensure equitable spread of the Federal Government’s intervention to all the already registered pilgrims whose payments have been received, the commission resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 in accordance with the current foreign exchange rate’.
‘Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 p.m. of 28th March 2024. The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March and no other payment would be accommodated after,” the statement said.
Penpushing also reports that the statement stated that for new registration for the 2024 Hajj intending pilgrims from northern states are to pay N8.2 million, while those from the South are to pay N8.4 million.
The fare it is recalled was initially fixed at N4.5 million against the N2.9 million pilgrims paid in 2023, and recently it was increased to N4.9 million and finally to N8.5 million for fresh registration and N6.8 million for pilgrims with deposit.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
