Kano State Government has approved the sum of N1.4 billion subsidy for intending pilgrims from the state to mitigate the sudden increase in 2024 Hajj fare.

Director General, Kano State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Rabiu Lami Dan’bappa, who disclosed the intervention said the government considered the concessional cost to ease the challenge of many intending pilgrims who may find it difficult to meet the deadline.

According to Dan’bappa, the government is now subsidizing N500,000 each from Kano pilgrims for the total N1.9 million new fare increase. By implication, Kano pilgrims are expected to pay about N1.4 million as full and final fare.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) a few days ago announced a fare increase of N1.9 million following the spike in the exchange rate of the dollar to naira.

NAHCON said Nigerian pilgrims are saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite paying the fixed fare of N4.9 million maximum.

The Commission resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 following the current foreign exchange rate.

“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024,” NAHCON noted.

The DG Kano board reminded that the subsidy is only applicable to 2,906 intending pilgrims registered with the board, adding that those outside the threshold will need to comply with official rate released by NAHCON.

He appealed to Federal Government to prevail on Saudi Arabia authorities to extend the payment deadline from 28th March, 2024 to enable more interested participants complete their deposits.(Guardian)