By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed that for the 2025 Hajj, there will be no concessionary exchange rate from government for Hajj fare payment for pilgrims whether under state or private Hajj operators.

NAHCON?s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, has disclosed, when he chaired the virtual meeting with the Private Tour Operators (PTOs) relaying new developments from both Saudi Arabia?s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) and NAHCON?s decisions resulting from the second executive meeting with the new head of the Commission.

The outcome of the continued interactive meetings with members of the PTOs was contained in a statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director Public Affairs, NAHCON.

The commissioner also clarified that contrary to claims that NAHCON owes PTOs N17billion from the 2024 Hajj caution deposit of N25m, he explained that the Commission received only N2billion, 750million from 110 companies that registered for the 2024 Hajj.

The amount included a roll-over of N1billion, 250m from the previous year. From the amount, 30 companies requested for refunds amounting to N750m which has been paid. The balance still in the custody of the Commission accruing to undecided PTOs is N750m.

The meeting was to update members on resolutions reached after resumption of office on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 by Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof Abdullahi Sale, Pakistan who had been absent briefly on a trip.

Prince Elegushi also disclosed that instead of 20 lead Companies earlier slated to spearhead conduct of 2025 Hajj from the private sector, the number has been reduced to 10 by the MoHU. The ministry has stipulated that each company must register minimum of 2,000 pilgrims to be considered for Hajj visa approval.

The Commissioner further informed the members that some details have been received on 2023 Hajj refunds. All 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims that travelled for Hajj in 2023 from both states and private operators are to receive SR150 each (one hundred and fifty Saudi Riyals) as refund. He disclosed that NAHCON has already started working towards making the payments.

As for 2022 refund, the Commission is still awaiting further details, however Prince Elegushi revealed that refund details have emerged only for PTOs that camped on Field Office 18 in 2022. They are to collectively receive SR62,602 as refund for poor feeding in the Masha?ir.

Similarly, the Commissioner Operations informed the PTO members that the NAHCON?s EXCO has approved the option of honouring Bank Guarantee as payment of N40 million Caution Deposit for the 2025 Hajj.

?In view of the above, any operator who wishes to make the payment through Bank Guarantee but has already made cash deposit is invited to request for collection of the earlier deposit in order to present the Bank Guarantee.

?Furthermore, the registration deadline was extended to 11:59 pm Friday 11th October to accommodate registration through the Bank Guarantee or cash deposit?, he said.

Prince Elegushi advised that due to time and procedural constraints, members wishing to take the Bank Guarantee option can raise a Bank Draft of the Caution Deposit amount and retrieve it after the Bank Guarantee is ready. The retrieval can be done even after deadline of registration. The Commissioner expressed concern over time limitation as reason for the advice.

?As part of efforts to curtail hitches for the 2025 Hajj and current Umrah operations, relevant officers of the Commission under the Acting Chairman along with selected members of the PTOs will visit Saudi Arabia soon to seek a headway in contentious issues such as trapped IBAN deposits, unexplained refunds and limited number of Umrah visa,? the Commissioner added.

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