The Nasarawa State government has suspended its tradition of sponsoring pilgrims to the holy land of Saudi Arabia.The decision was taken as a result of the financial crunch plaguing the state due to dwindling revenue.
Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, who addressed newsmen in Lafia today, said that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s decision is aimed at allowing him weigh the prevailing economic situation of the state.
He however revealed that the welfare board has succeeded in retaining the accommodations allotted to pilgrims from the state in the holy land last year as tents and other accommodations meant for Nasarawa pilgrims in the Saudi Arabia were all in good shape.
“The board has approved this year’s Hajj fare at N790,500 per pilgrim which include forms, suitcases, medical screening, uniforms, hijab and Arafat day feeding expenses in order to compliment the National Hajj Commission’s efforts.”
He said that the variation in this year’s Hajj fare rate compared to that of the previous year which was N715,000 was occasioned by the high exchange rate of the naira against the dollar.
The Executive Secretary said that a total of 1,682 intending pilgrims had indicated interest for the journey to the holy land, which showed a sharp drop as against the 1,785 pilgrims that eventually performed the exercise last year. [myad]
