The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has assured that intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise would not pay additional costs despite the Sudan crisis.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan made the disclosure on Saturday in Abuja at a training organized for staff of NAHCON, state pilgrim boards, and private tour operators.
He said: “Our local airlines after several negotiations accepted the sum of $250 to the increase in the cost of air tickets for this year’s operation. We are still looking for all avenues to resolve the attendant consequence of this money.
“We are still paying earnestly for a quick and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan so that the airspace could be open and there will be a stop to the mindless killing of the people of Sudan.
“At NAHCON, we are looking for all ways to ensure that we resolve the issue of this additional cost. We have decided that whatever decision we will take, will not require the pilgrims to pay additional funds into the hands of the respective pilgrim boards in their state. They will not need to pay more money.”
“Four local airlines to airlift Nigerian pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj exercise have requested that the Hajj fare be increased by $250.”
We have mapped out a 25 days strategic airlift operation plan that will commence on the 25th of May 2023. However, we are ready and decided to move our advanced team, comprising medical and hajj officials to move to Saudi Arabia on the 21st of May. We pray that the 2023 hajj will witness great improvement, he added.
