Hajj fare would have been N2million but for our intervention, says Chairman, Nigeria-Saudi Committee

The Chairman, Nigeria-Saudi Arabian committee on Hajj, Dr. Balarabe Salame on Thursday  said the 2017 hajj fare would have reached two million Naira but for their intervention just as he called for special consideration for Pilgrims by reducing the rate at which dollar is given to them. "As you are aware, pilgrims were given dollar […]

The Chairman, Nigeria-Saudi Arabian committee on Hajj, Dr. Balarabe Salame on Thursday  said the 2017 hajj fare would have reached two million Naira but for their intervention just as he called for special consideration for Pilgrims by reducing the rate at which dollar is given to them.

"As you are aware, pilgrims were given dollar at the rate of N197 in 2016 but this year it is N306 and that is why the hajj fare increased to N1.5 million. So, there is no way the hajj fare will be reduced except the federal government gives a special consideration in terms of dollar sales to intending pilgrims," he said.

Salame who is the member representing Gwadabawa/Illela federal constituency at the House of Representatives stated this in Sokoto while fielding questions from journalists on public outcry over high hajj fare this year.

According to him, Nigerian pilgrims would have paid less this year because the National Hajj  Commission and their committees were able to deal directly with owners of accommodations without involving agents.

"We also secured the best ‘VIP’ transportation services for our pilgrims because we want them to perform the annual exercise at ease," he said.

Salame added:" NAHCON has succeeded in reducing costs associated with transportation and accommodation because they have stopped dealing with middlemen and agents."

He said they saved huge amount of money for the country for not involving agents in all these transactions and that pilgrims would have paid less than what they paid last year but for the high exchange rate.

 While giving account of his stewardship at the lower chamber, he said he had facilitated the constructions of several blocks of classrooms, boreholes and Primary Health Care centres worth over N500 million  in his constituency.

Among motions /bills moved and passed by the House of Representatives, he said it included his motion for construction of Sokoto – Kanji – Badagri road; bill for constitutional amendment to extend the jurisdiction of Shari’ah courts to include criminal case in Sharia implementation states.e.t.c.