The Chief Whip of Senate, Sen. Ali Ndume has urged the Federal and State to intervene by subsidising the Hajj fare pegged at N5million, to enable first timers attend this year’s Hajj to the Holy Land.
Ndume made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the recent hike of Hajj fee by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) would pose a challenge, especially for intending first timers to participate in the exercise.
Ndume said pilgrims, who had earlier paid the old fee should not be compelled to pay additional fee, barely one week to the end of the registration.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, to approve the payment of the extra cost as subsidy to enable first timers attend Hajj.
He also called on state governments to foot the additional cost for intending pilgrims, who cannot pay the new fee.
Ndume said, “the sudden hike in the fees intending pilgrims are expected to pay by NAHCON is unfair.
“You cannot impose such on them,they had already paid ahead of time,If there is any changes, the burden should be on NAHCON and not on the intending pilgrims.
“Something urgent needs to be done about this, I urge President Bola Tinubu to approve the payment of the extra fee.
“This is the right thing to do in order to save the situation.
“I am also calling on states pilgrims to subsidise the fees of pilgrims, especially for first timers, Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and it is unfair to deny first timers the right to perform this spiritual exercise, especially after they have already paid the old fee set by NAHCON.
“I do not think it is fair to ask them to pay almost N2million again,many of the pilgrims saved up the money for many years to enable them participate in Hajj,you cannot deny such people the right to participate.
“I strongly believe that the right thing to do is to subsidise the fee and take the extra burden away from pilgrims, especially first timers who deserve to participate in this year’s Hajj exercise, we need to help them.”
