The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has released a new guideline that will determine the fare that states can charge pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj.
The commission resolved that each state would determine its
cost based on factors like accommodation and feeding. It said there will no
longer be a uniform fare to be charged by the states.
Jalal Arabi, NAHCON’s acting chairman, disclosed this during
a meeting with representatives of state welfare boards and private operators in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Mr Arabi, in a statement issued by NAHCON spokesperson,
Fatima Usara, on Monday, briefed the boards and private operators on the
outcome of the meeting between NAHCON and the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and
Umrah.
According to the statement, Mr Arabi informed the
stakeholders that each state will have to negotiate the cost of accommodation
and feeding to determine the rates they are going to charge pilgrims.
“The NAHCON chairman informed the meeting that there will
not be uniformed Hajj fare this year—the cheaper a state’s cost of
accommodation and feeding, the cheaper the state’s Hajj fare,” the statement
reads.
Mr Arabi further encouraged states to “ take advantage of
the service providers’ open market to negotiate cost-effective services for
their pilgrims. States are to plan their individual menus which would be used
during negotiations.”
Getting good space in Muna
The hardship Nigerian pilgrims had to endure during the 2023
hajj exercise in Muna because of the limited bed space, and the long distance
between the Nigerian tents and Jamrat.
Over 52,000 Nigerian pilgrims were without shelter during
the five-day stay at Muna during the Hajj rites.
Feeding was also a major challenge in Muna.
Speaking on accommodation in Muna, Mr Arabi said the Saudi
government has guaranteed closer proximity to Jamrat if Nigeria pays its
deposit early enough.
“The only way NAHCON would be guaranteed proximity to Jamrat
in Mina is through early payment of deposit.
“The predicament of space in Mina is not a NAHCON concern
alone, the Kingdom is looking at ways of expanding the capacity of tent city,”
Mr Arabi was quoted to have said at the meeting.
The statement also said there are further preparatory
engagements in Saudi Arabia, stating that NAHCON will pay a working visit to
Mutawwif company, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Car Syndicate for
pilgrims’ transportation, Adillah in Madina and others.