The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has set January 5, 2024 deadline for completion of registration and remittance of fares for intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia next year.
Besides, NAHCON officially pegged the initial minimum deposit of N4.5 million that every pilgrim should pay before the deadline.
The Assistant Director, Public Affairs of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, in a statement to the press yesterday said the deadline has become necessary in order for the Commission to meet the timeline and other conditions set by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Usara explained the initial minimum deposit was jointly arrived at by NAHCON and the Forum of State Executive Secretaries of Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Agencies, in consideration of the volatility of dollar exchange rate and other compelling factors.
She emphasized that NAHCON was under obligation to capture the data of eligible pilgrims to finalize arrangement of accommodations and other services at the Holy Land slated for first week of November.
She explained that knowing the estimate of eligible pilgrims would enable the Commission get credible indices to guide its preparatory meetings with stake holders in KSA.
“At the end of the post Hajj meeting held in September, all the Hajj stakeholders at the meeting departed with the same resolution to inform the public that the minimum deposit for an intending pilgrim to be registered for the 2024 Hajj is N4.5 million.
“The wisdom behind this minimum deposit revolved around three reasons. First, for the states and the Commission to estimate how many pilgrims would be eligible for 2024 Hajj by November 4, a time set by Saudi Arabia for the Commission to conclude preparatory meetings with service providers. This Saudi timeline is roughly three weeks from now.
“Secondly, it was agreed in unison that with that amount, the top up residual by the time the final fare will be announced would be minimal compared to what may be required to balance up if the minimum deposit were to be set in a lesser sum.”
According to NAHCON, “setting a lower deposit aggregate would be more challenging for a larger number of persons to top up should the end sum be on the high side, thereby leading to miscalculations, which would be counter-productive to timely and accurate planning.
“Hence, and thirdly too, the Commission would have a more realistic figure to bargain for cost of accommodation, airline fares, feeding, and others knowing the number of persons that were able to reach the N4.5m threshold by the time of preparatory meetings.”
The NAHCON spokesperson added that final and or balance fare would be computed and determined by the cost of exchange rate, noting that NAHCON should not be held responsible for possible failure as a result of late deposit.
“The Commission also wishes to remind those interested in participating in the 2024 Hajj of the time constraint with regards to final date of funds remittance into the coffers of Saudi Arabian account for the processing of Visas.
“The Commission is expected to complete payment for accommodation and holy sites contracts by February 2024 to enable commencement of Visa issuance by 3rd March 3 till April 29, 2024″, Usara emphasized
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