by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, has revealed that N76 million was realized from the foreign exchange differentials of pilgrims’ Basic Travelling Allowances (BTA).
A statement issued by Governor Uba Sani’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, on Friday, recalled that the equivalent of the N76 million has been disbursed to Kaduna pilgrims, where each of them received 123 Saudi Riyals as refund.
The chairman added that, the Executive Chairman of the Agency made the explanation in an exclusive interview with select broadcast journalists in Makkah on Thursday.
According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had earlier pegged the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance of each pilgrim at N1,143 per dollar, amounting 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 stood at N1,350.74 to a dollar,” he added.
The Executive Chairman further explained that the naira equivalent of $500 BTA then decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim, adding that the forex differentials amounted to N46,130 per 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 faulted the argument that the money should have been channeled to the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, to facilitate Hajj operations.
He argued that the money is from the “difference in exchange rates” of the pilgrims’ BTA; so, it rightly belonged to the pilgrims and not the Agency.
The Executive Chairman commended Governor Uba Sani for giving the Agency all necessary support to succeed, adding that he has always acceded to its demands.
Malam Salihu, who praised Kaduna State pilgrims for giving pilgrim officials all the required support, also called on them to lend the same support, as the countdown for the outbound journey begins.
According to him, the airlift of Kaduna pilgrims will commence on June 15, going by NAHCON’s schedule, adding that the return journey will follow the same sequence like as the airlift to 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 further warned pilgrims against “excess luggage,” advising that non-adherence strictly to the prescribed kilograms will delay their return journey from Saudi Arabia.
He said all pilgrims have been given two 23 kilograms bags and are allowed a hand luggage that should not exceed eight kilograms, adding that they should not carry any sharp object, zam-zam water or any liquid on board the aircraft.