46,000 intending pilgrims are yet to fully pay for Hajj- NHC
The National Hajj Commission (NHC) has said 46,000 intending pilgrims are yet to make full payment for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
This was disclosed by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
Usara explained that out of the 95,000 available slots for prospective pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 2024, 46,000 individuals were unable to cover the costs associated with their fares and other charges.
She added ” “Yes only 48,000 people have been able to pay out of the 95,000 seats offered us by the Saudi authorities. Seventy-five of those seats belong to the government officials while 20 are for caregivers. If you add everything, we can say we have 49,000 intending pilgrims who have paid their money since the initial deadline of 12th February,”
Meanwhile, the commission announced that just 49,000 individuals have completed full payment for the exercise.
A relaible source said “The commission is saying that due to the devaluation of the naira, they are asking people who already paid N4.9 million to add N1.9 million more, making it a total of N6.8 million. For those who haven’t paid yet, it’s N8.25 million if you are from the north and N8.45 million if you are from the south.
“The commission is considering reaching out to state governors and affluent individuals for support in aiding the 2024 prospective pilgrims by covering their expenses, such as meals and other bills, to alleviate financial burdens on them”.
