By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says more Refunds would reach 2023 Pilgrims Accounts.

The commission had in the month of October, acknowledged receipt of refunds from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various services not rendered to pilgrims of previous unspecified Hajj seasons.

NAHCON explained that the problem hindering payment of the refunds was unavailability of details accompanying the received funds.

Details were not attached on the reasons of the refunds, or whom they were meant for and the amount each pilgrims is to receive.

A statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, NAHCON on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 further explained that consequent upon this predicament, the Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman wishes to crave indulgence of pilgrims and the larger public on the stalemate preventing NAHCON from releasing the remaining monies lodged in its account.

The statement said the commission is still awaiting explanations of these refunds without which the Hajj House cannot make payments.

Continuing the statement said: "For the benefit of clearing any doubts, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria received in five tranches the sum of SR 20,716, 035.2 (twenty million Saudi Riyals, seven hundred and sixteen thousand, thirty-five point two Halalas) as various categories of unexplained refunds.

"Of these total, NAHCON received explanation only over the disbursement of SR 150 each for the 95,000 pilgrims that participated in the 2023 Hajj.

"This amount covers matters relating to electricity supply in Masha'ir locations. The refund has since been released to the States Pilgrims' Welfare Boards and Private Tour Operators for onward dispensation to their respective pilgrims.

"Hence NAHCON is still anticipating narration on a total of SR6m, 466,035.15. In pursuit of further disbursement of the remaining refunds thus, the Commission had written several letters to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requesting for details in order to hand over the monies to the rightful owners.

"Besides, during the Chairman's recent trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he led a delegation on a follow-up visit to the Ministry and other relevant establishment seeking clarification over the rightful beneficiaries of the refunds and the amount due to each person.

"Therefore, of the above quoted amount, SR 14, 250,000 has already been dispensed to pilgrims under the state quota and Private Tour Operators as compensation for electricity supplied in Masha ir, while the Commission is still awaiting explanation for the SR6m, 466,035.15.

"Consequent upon the above, Professor Saleh assures the affected pilgrims and their respective officials that as soon as the Commission receives full details of refunds; vis-a-vis beneficiaries, reasons for the refunds and the amount accruable to each beneficiary, the remaining amount will be disbursed immediately and transparently too,? the statement added.

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