N4.7m Hajj Package: Many Intending Pilgrims To Shelve Trip Due To Harsh Economy

By Daniel Maduka

Several thousands of intending pilgrims may be forced to shelve their plans of making it to the Holy land in Saudi Arabia this year. This is no thanks to the current excruciating economic situation, occasioned mainly by the removal of petroleum products subsidy and the floating of the country,s currency against major currencies of the world.

The Source findings have revealed an appreciable decrease in the number of Muslim faithful, particularly in kano and  some other Northern states,ready to embark on the all important pilgrimage to the holy Land ,due to their lean pockets and an astronomical increase in Hajj fares.

Hopes of some prospective Kano pilgrims who, before now, were determined to participate in the exercise were on Saturday February 3 2024. dashed following the announcement of a further increase in the Hajj fares from an initial # 4.5million to #4 .7 million by the State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

In a release issued by the Board’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Dederi, the Director- General Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa said the  Hajj fare regime is in line with the general Hajj fare review by the National Commission for Hajj .

Consequently, he urged intending pilgrims, who had made the initial deposit payments of # 4 .5 million to promptly pay the balance on or before February 12 2024.

Alhaji Danbappa while assuring of availability of enough Hajj seats, appreciated the Kano government for its support to the Board .

However, findings have  shown that ,a large number of those who made the initial deposit payments , are set to withdraw from the exercise ,while many who have not made any deposit, but were preparing to ,have shelved their plans in the face of the economic realities on the ground.

Before now, the comprehensive Hajj package hovered  between # 1.7million and #1.9 million on the average.

According to an official of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board ,unless there is an intervention by the kano state government, most intending pilgrims may have to wait for another opportunity.

“As the situation is now ,only the well- to -do can easily meet up.” the official noted.