The House of Representatives has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to suspend the implementation of Hajj Saving Scheme.
The scheme, established in 2006, allow intending pilgrims, who are low income earners to pay their Hajj Fares in installment so that they can perform their religious obligation.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to investigate the Hajj Saving Scheme.
Sponsor of the motion Aminu Ashiru-Mani, from Katsina State, expressed concern that there is alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the savings scheme.
Ashiru-Mani said; “Within two years of NAHCON’S partnership with JA’IZ Bank to assist intending pilgrims to save under the scheme, the customer base hit over four thousand with one billion naira saving in the account.
”There is altercation between NAHCON and Jaiz Bank, the agreement between them is breached ny Hajj Commission of Nigeria.”
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Speaker House of Reps, Ahmed Idris-Wase, explained that for more than two years, intending pilgrims had been contributing to the scheme but were unable to perform the Hajj due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wase further alleged that against the act establishing the commission, it was dipping its hand into the fund.
He said; “The Hajj Commission against their own Act are now or have intrude into the fund which may cause hardship to the ordinary Nigerians who have contributed with his hard earned money and that is why the House need to come in and intervene.”
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Pilgrims Affairs to investigate the Hajj Saving Scheme.
The House also mandated the committee to review the entire agreement between NAHCON and JA’IZ Bank and report back to the house within two weeks.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
