The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has voiced strong opposition to the recent surge in fares for prospective Muslim pilgrims undertaking the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, labeling the move as unjust and intolerable.
Ndume expressed his discontent in response to the announcement made by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) regarding the adjustment in fares, emphasizing that such an increase could potentially deprive many Muslims, particularly first-time pilgrims, of the opportunity to partake in this religious journey.
The hike in fares, disclosed by NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda-Usara, was attributed to the current exchange rate of N1,474.00 to the dollar. As a consequence, approximately 49,000 intending pilgrims who had previously paid N4.9 million each under the former exchange rate were now required to pay an additional N1.9 million, bringing the total cost to N8.5 million each for new registrants.
Senator Ndume firmly asserted that individuals who had already fulfilled their financial obligations under the previous fee structure should not be burdened with the sudden additional cost, especially with only a week remaining until the registration deadline.
Stating the significance of Hajj as one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, Ndume appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider subsidizing the extra expenses incurred by first-time pilgrims, thereby facilitating their participation in the pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Ndume urged state governments to shoulder the financial burden for intending pilgrims who are unable to afford the revised rates established by NAHCON, emphasizing that the responsibility should not fall upon the pilgrims themselves.
“The sudden hike in the fees intending pilgrims are expected to pay by NAHCON is unfair. You cannot impose such on them.
They had already paid ahead of time. If there is any change, the burden should be on NAHCON and not on the intending pilgrims,” Ndume stated adamantly.
