The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Monday described as untrue the news of $100 additional hajj fare.
The NAHCON Deputy Director, Information & Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, stated this in a statement signed on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Ubandawaki, however, noted that the commission resolved to reduce the Basic Travelling Allowance, BTA, for 2023 Hajj pilgrims to the sum of $700 against $800 provided in the Hajj package.
He explained the Sudan crisis, which has resulted in the closure of its airspace for security reasons, had affected all Hajj airlift flights.
According to him, the alternate routes are from 1 hour 40 minutes to 3 hours longer depending on the departure points in Nigeria.
He said: “This alternate route would necessitate the carriers to fly through the airspace of Cameroun, Central African Republic (CAR), Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea, with additional cost of aviation fuel and over-flight charges.
“We thoroughly reviewed all of the options in relation to funding the additional $250 dollars to the airlines which involved several processes and meetings with the Airlines, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards in order to find a quick resolution to the problems.
“The commission resolved to solicit the Federal Government to compassionately agree to waive the remaining 35 per cent of aviation charges in favour of airlines which would translate to $55.
“This would further alleviate the additional cost of the airfare on the pilgrims. The Government had earlier waived 65% of the aviation charges to bring down the cost of Hajj. With this development, the $250 addition negotiated with the airlines will be reduced by $55.
“The liability of the remaining $195 will be borne by the 75,000 pilgrims which is calculated at $117 per pilgrim.
“To offset the $117 without causing additional financial obligations on the pilgrims, the commission resolved to reduce the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for 2023 Hajj Pilgrims to the sum of $700 against $800 provided in the Hajj package already paid by the pilgrims.
“As for the remaining $17, NAHCON has further sought understanding from the air carriers to offer that amount as additional discount to the pilgrims who are also victims of the Sudan airspace closure.
“We however hasten to clarify that should the Sudanese airspace be cleared for normal flight either before the commencement of the airlift or at any point of the operation, appropriate refunds will be made to the pilgrims.
“What is playing out from the trending “news” is but a misrepresentation of fact. We want to make it clear that the commission will never be part of any act that will exploit the pilgrims.
“The Commission has always made itself available to the media and the pilgrims to offer its maximum support and cooperation in provision of information.”
