The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stated that the low turnout in payment of hajj fares for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage would not affect its December 31 deadline as it would work with the number of those that pay.

NACHON in a statement on Saturday by its Assistant Director of Press, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the commission had made it clear from the outset that “it is prepared to work with any number of registered pilgrims able to pay the N4.5 million Hajj deposit by the December 31 deadline.”

The statement was in response to a story written by Daily Trust which detailing how the high fare and early payment deadline would threaten the commission’s preparation.

Sanda while acknowledging Daily Trust’s “interest and concern in the story” said its Chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi, had consistently stressed the importance of timely arrangements to protect interest of those who have sacrificed and paid their deposits so that their chances would not be jeopardized by late remittance.

She stated that contrary to the notion of a dilemma, “NAHCON has completed 60% of its Hajj preparations. The challenge lies in determining the exact number of those who have paid the Hajj fares, justifying the commission’s advocacy for the adoption of the Hajj Savings Scheme for better control and planning.

“This system would allow NAHCON and each state to track the number of intending pilgrims eligible for the Hajj season, project balances, and streamline preparations efficiently.”

She added that while some of the managers called for a deadline extension due to farmers awaiting harvest, others were optimistic about last-minute payments from businesspersons.

She said, “Malam Arabi’s rationale centered on fairness and action in the interest of those who have paid. He assured that the fare would not exceed the deposit if not reduced and had therefore urged State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, as state-level Hajj managers, to remit deposits promptly.

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