Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on Wednesday approved the sum of One Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty Three Million Naira (N1, 453, 000, 000) to subsidize Hajj fare for intending pilgrims in the state.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the amount covers a subsidy of N500, 000 for each of the 2, 906 intending pilgrims who have paid to the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, their additional fare of N1.9m recently announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON.
The state was allotted 5,934 seats as allocated by NAHCON for the 2024 Hajj exercise. But only 2,906 intending pilgrims have so far paid the deposit before NAHCON announced an additional fare of the N1.9m.
Confirming the state government subsidy at a press conference in Kano on Wednesday, Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa, Director-General, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, said the gesture was in the light of the increase of the N1.9m per hajj seat by NAHCON.
“In the light of the increase of one million nine hundred and eighteen thousand Naira per Hajj seat by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, I am pleased to announce to all residents of Kano State that the state government has granted a reduction of five hundred thousand Naira (₦500,000) for each seat.
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“This means that instead of paying an additional one million nine hundred thousand Naira, an intending pilgrim will now pay approximately one million four hundred and eighteen thousand Naira. This subsidy will only apply to those who have already made their payments and received a receipt from us. Those who have yet to make their payment will be required to pay the exact amount as announced by the National Hajj Commission.
“The Governor of Kano State made this decision to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims concerning the payment of the remaining balance of the Hajj fares, as directed by NAHCON.
“The total sum paid by the governor for the two thousand nine hundred and six intending pilgrims amounts to one billion four hundred and fifty-four million Naira.” He explained.
The Director General insisted that the beneficiaries of the state government’s Hajj subsidy are only 2, 906 intending pilgrims who had already made their part payment with the board.
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Danbappa appreciated the state governor for the kind gesture. “I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for this generous gesture. He truly deserves our appreciation,”
He, however, reminded all intending pilgrims that the deadline for paying the remaining balance is tomorrow Thursday 28th March, 2024, urging the remaining intending pilgrims to complete the payment before the deadline.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has not extended the deadline; therefore, tomorrow remains the final day for payments”. He noted.