The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has given Friday, April 28 as deadline for the 2023 Hajj fare remittance by boards, agencies and commissions of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare managers.
Alhaji Hassan made the disclosure on Wednesday during a decisive and marathon meeting with Chief Executives of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/ Agencies/Commissions held at Hajj House (NAHCON headquarter), Abuja.
According to Alhaji Hassan, the meeting was to address critical issues hinging on remittances of Hajj fares by pilgrims in order to finalize on number of eligible enrollees for the 2023 Hajj from Nigeria. Determination of the number would dictate figures with which to sign agreements with airlines.
The NAHCON Chairman also noted that the Commission would gladly work with any amount remitted by the Friday deadline and subsequently sign agreements for the 2023 airlift to Saudi Arabia based on that number.
He explained that 50% down payment to the air carriers is expected upon signing of agreement while another 35% would follow after deployment of aircraft for the airlift by the carriers.
The NAHCON highest ranking officer lamented that the remittance had to take this long bearing in mind that all other arrangements depend on the confirmed number of Hajj fare payers before conclusion.
It would be recalled that deadline for Hajj fare remittance had been extended on several occasions since January 2023.
In another development, the Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics and Library Studies, Prince Sheikh Suleman Momoh has revealed that screening of the first batch of medical personnel for the 2023 Hajj will hold on Thursday, April 27.
“Orientation and other ceremonies would follow after confirmation of successful candidates,” according to the statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara.
