Hajj 2024: Group Demands Transparency on Pilgrims’ Travel Allowance Allocation
Rebecca Mu’azu, Gombe
Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the various State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to promptly disclose the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) allocated to intending pilgrims for Hajj 2024.
In a statement signed by the national coordinator of IHR, Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR emphasised that, unlike previous years, the announcement of the 2024 Hajj fare lacked transparency regarding the BTA component. It stated that despite the disclosure of additional Hajj fares, crucial information regarding the BTA allocation was conspicuously absent.
IHR underscores the importance of clarity and transparency in communicating vital details such as the BTA, which significantly impacts intending pilgrims’ preparations.
The group said the BTA was given to pilgrims on the day of their departure to Saudi Arabia as pocket expense funds to enable them to take care of certain financial needs while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, the BTA, which is an allowance of foreign currency, which Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia would be allowed to draw from a Nigerian bank when travelling abroad, is a part of the country’s foreign exchange controls added to the hajj fare components.
Also Read: NAHCON Clarifies 2024 Hajj Fare
“Traditionally, the announcement of Hajj fare by NAHCON always comes with a provision of Basic Travelling Allowance for each intending pilgrim. This is meant to allow pilgrims to prepare their minds on how much they will receive and make their financial plans accordingly.
“For example, the 2023 Hajj pilgrims paid an average of N2.9m inclusive of $800 Basic Travel Allowance. Hajj fare computations consist of local and foreign service components with Basic Travelling Allowance for pilgrims,” the statement stated.
It said, however, that the previous board of NAHCON later slashed the 2023 Hajj BTA to $700 due to what they described as differentials in airfare tickets.
The Independent Hajj Reporters said it was strange to observe that the two hajj fares announced so far by NAHCON were yet to announce the provisions made for BTA for intending pilgrims.
“Even after another announcement on the increment of the fare from N4.899 to N6.617. We are calling on NAHCON and States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Agencies to immediately announce how much is the 2024 hajj BTA to intending pilgrims,” IHR said.
