The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured pilgrims that it will work with state boards to investigate alleged shortchanging of pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) by illegal agents.

Some of the pilgrims from Ekiti State had in Muna complained that they were given BTA of $750 instead of $1,000, when they actually paid the maximum Hajj fares of N1.2 million.

NAHCON Chairman, Barrister Mukhtar, while reacting to the complaints, assured the pilgrims that the $250 BTA balance would be reimbursed to them if the commission finds out that the pilgrims were shortchanged.

Bar. Mukhtar warned intending pilgrims to stop paying their hajj fares through illegal agents. He reiterated that payment of hajj fares through agents is illegal, warning that pilgrims should not patronise them. He also said that no state uses such agents and so the Ekiti Pilgrims Board should stop patronising them for the collection of hajj fares.

On complains about accommodation in Muna, the NAHCON Chairman promised to investigate the matter, assuring that the commission would make refunds if there is justification for it.

Bar. Mukhtar directed that both the Chairman and Secretary of Ekiti Pilgrims Board should present the various complaints to the commission for further deliberations.

•Photo shows NAHCON Chairman, Bar. Mukhtar.

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