NAHCON gives breakdown of N90bn subsidy for 2024 Hajj
metro
THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday gave a breakdown of how it spent the N90 billion Federal Government’s subsidy for the 2024 Hajj pilgrims.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, gave the breakdown at a news breifing in Abuja.
Arabi said that each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) who enjoyed more.
He said, ” How to spread this N90 billion equitably, to such a degree that registered pilgrims would not have to pay additionally to the N4.9m, was tough.
” At first, the N90 billion would only cater conveniently for about 18,000 intending pilgrims out of the about 50,000 duly registered persons as at March 22, 2024.
” Subsequently, appreciation of the Naira to N1, 474.00 in the month of May 2024 brought respite to our calculations as it meant a reduction from what the registered pilgrims would have to top up.”
Arabi explained that NAHCON devised a distribution strategy which played a crucial role in ensuring that all the stakeholders associated with the 2024 Hajj benefited from the financial stability through the Federal Government’s support.
He said. ” Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) who enjoyed more.
” Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90 billion was not sufficient to make up for the balance.
” However, new registrants were asked to pay N8, 454,464.74 being exempted from the Federal Government’s intervention.”
Arabi also said that it was on record that eligible officials and stakeholders from all the tiers of government enjoyed the subsidy from the money.
On the pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), he said that the commission, in agreement with the state pilgrims’ representatives, approved a BTA of $500 per pilgrim.
This, according to him, was part of measures put in place to reduce the cost of Hajj fare.
Arabi said,” As at April 24, 2024 when NAHCON remitted the pilgrims’ BTA into their respective States Pilgrims Welfare Boards accounts, the Dollar exchange rate was N1,252 to a dollar.
” Based on this rate, N626,000 was paid for the value of 500 dollars .
” However, the banks later issued BTA to pilgrims at a rate higher than N626 depending on the cost of foreign exchange at the time the respective states requested for the BTAs.
” This caused a shortfall to the original value.”
He said that the commission expected that the banks were supposed to honour the exchange rate obtainable on April 24, 2014, the day the BTA was deposited and to pay the pilgrims based on that rate.
Arabi assured that going forward, NAHCON would engage the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to avoid future occurrence.
He added that NAHCON would continue to assess and improve its processes to better serve the pilgrims and uphold the sanctity and significance of Hajj.
Arabi said, ” Be rest assured that NAHCON remains committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our operations.
” We will continuously seek to improve our processes to ensure equitable access to facilities and services for all the pilgrims, thereby upholding the sanctity and inclusivity of the Hajj experience.” (NAN)
29th July, 2024.
C.E.
Related Posts
Don’t implement my suspension resolution – Sulaiman tells Lagos Govt.
JELILI Sulaiman, the embattled Chairman, Alimosho Local Government Council, has notified the Lagos Government that his suspension...
Read MoreTaxation: RTEAN urges its members to be law abiding
THE Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has urged its members to be law abiding when conducting their lawful...
Read MoreSanwo-Olu tasks leaders on enabling environment for youths development
THE Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on leaders and stakeholders across all spheres to prioritise...
Read MoreMost Read
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Keep abreast of news and other developments from our website.