Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has asked the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the state’s Muslim pilgrims welfare boards and agencies to inform intending pilgrims on what they will receive as basic travel allowance (BTA).
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, he said it has become necessary to draw the attention of the NAHCON and state hajj agencies that the 2024 hajj fare they announced so far did not indicate the amount that will be given to intending pilgrims as BTA contrary to usual practices over the years.
“Traditionally, the announcement of hajj fare by NAHCON always comes with a provision of basic travelling allowance for each intending pilgrim. This is meant to allow pilgrims to prepare their minds on how much they will receive and make their financial plans accordingly. For example, the 2023 hajj pilgrims paid an average of N2.9m inclusive of $800 basic travel allowance. Hajj fare computations consist of local and foreign service components with basic travelling allowance for pilgrims.
“However, the previous board of NAHCON later slashed the 2023 Hajj BTA to $700 owing to what they described as differentials in airfare tickets. This year’s hajj fare was announced without stating how much the BTA is even when additional hajj fare was announced.”
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The group said the BTA is given to pilgrims on the day of their departure to Saudi Arabia as pocket expense funds to enable pilgrims to take care of certain financial needs while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“It is strange that the two-hajj fares announced so far by NAHCON have not announced provisions for BTA for intending pilgrims even after another announcement on the increment of the fare from N4.89m to N6.6m.”
It further called on NAHCON and state Muslim pilgrims welfare agencies to immediately announce how much is the 2024 hajj BTA to intending pilgrims.