NAHCON denies 2023 Hajj air fare hike
Kazeem Owoseni
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, had on Saturday assured intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj that there will not be any further increament in the payable Hajj fare.
Disclosing this in Abuja, during the opening of a one-day workshop, organised by the Saudi ministry of Hajj and Humrah, in conjunction with NAHCON, The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, explained that the increament of 250-dollar imposed by the air carriers, would not make the commission to impose the extra cost on the pilgrims.
“It is true that the air carriers have increased the charges by 250 dollars, because of the closure of the Sudanese airspace.
” Though we are still consulting to find an avenue to address the increase. However, whatever decision that we may arrive at, it won’t impact or require the pilgrims to pay additional charges,” he said.
Speaking further, the chairman, who expressed dissatisfaction at the additional 63 dollar charges for camp and electronic applications in visa processing cost by the Ministry of Hajj, noting that such step was against their initial agreement.
“Though, we have written to protest this, and we are hoping for a positive response despite that we bore the cost without transferring same to the pilgrims,” he said.
However, he prayed for the peaceful resolution of the Sudan crisis to save the lives of the innocent Sudanese, urging the parties involved, to stop the war for the sake of country, innocent pilgrims and Islam in general.