Intending pilgrims from Plateau State for this year’s Hajj have appealed to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to accept the payment of their N1.9 million balance even as the deadline has elapsed.
NAHCON had raised the fare for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from N4.9 million to N6.8 million in March, causing many intending pilgrims to struggle to meet the payment deadline.
Despite NAHCON’s deadline of four days to complete the payments, many intending pilgrims were unable to do so due to the short notice.
Isa Abubakar, one of the intending pilgrims, expressed his frustration, stating, “We were caught in a difficult situation. The time given by NAHCON to pay the balance was too short, and we struggled to raise the money, even selling our properties. Despite our efforts, they refused to accept the payment, which is very disappointing.”
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Abubakar Saidu echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the economic challenges faced by intending pilgrims and urging the government to intervene so they wouldn’t be denied the opportunity to participate in the hajj exercise.
Muktar Magaji, the director of operations at the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, clarified that NAHCON had already finalized the list of participants for the hajj.
