The Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, has disclosed that N76 million was generated from the foreign exchange differential arising from pilgrims’ Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, on Friday, it was stated that the N76 million was distributed to Kaduna pilgrims, with each pilgrim receiving 123 Saudi Riyals as a refund.
The statement noted that the Agency’s Executive Chairman made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with selected broadcast journalists in Makkah on Thursday.
According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had initially fixed each pilgrim’s $500 Basic Travelling Allowance at N1,443 per dollar, bringing the total to N721,500 per pilgrim.
‘’However, the value of naira had appreciated as at the time of the airlift of pilgrims; when the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) was giving pilgrims their BTAs, naira exchanged for N1,350.74 to a dollar,’’ he added.
The Executive Chairman explained that the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA subsequently dropped to N675,370 per pilgrim, noting that the exchange rate differential translated to N46,130 for each pilgrim.
‘’We then wasted no time in announcing to the pilgrims that each of them was entitled to a refund of 123 Saudi Riyals. And we have finished disbursing the money,’’ he added.
Malam Salihu dismissed claims that the refund should have been retained by the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency to support the conduct of Hajj operations.
He maintained that the funds originated from the exchange rate difference on the pilgrims’ BTA and therefore belonged to the pilgrims rather than the Agency.
The Executive Chairman applauded Governor Uba Sani for providing the Agency with the support required to deliver on its mandate, noting that the governor had consistently responded positively to its requests.
Malam Salihu, who also commended Kaduna pilgrims for cooperating with officials throughout the exercise, urged them to sustain the same level of cooperation as preparations begin for their return trip.
According to him, the return airlift of Kaduna pilgrims is scheduled to commence on June 15 in line with NAHCON’s timetable, adding that pilgrims will be transported back to Nigeria in the same order in which they arrived in Saudi Arabia.
‘’Those who came on the first flight will be the first set of pilgrims that will be airlifted back home and the sequence will continue like this till the fifth flight. We will not allow people to jump the queue.
‘’However, allowances can be made for unforeseen circumstances like a pilgrim who suddenly falls sick or some kind of emergency. In that situation, it is our officials that will forfeit his or her seat for the pilgrim,’’ he clarified.
The Executive Chairman also cautioned pilgrims against carrying excess luggage, stressing that failure to comply with the approved baggage limits could affect the smooth conduct of the return flights from Saudi Arabia.
He explained that every pilgrim had been issued two bags weighing 23 kilograms each and is permitted one hand luggage not exceeding eight kilograms, warning them not to carry sharp objects, zam-zam water or any liquid on board the aircraft.
