LASG to summon stakeholders’ meeting over increased Hajj fares

By Ibrahim Adeleke

Lagos State Government has called on stakeholders of the Y2022 Hajj pilgrimage to attend a meeting after Ramadan over the increased fares to the Holy Land by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Stakeholders expected to attend the meeting include intending Pilgrims, officials of NAHCON, and officials of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the date for the meeting will be communicated when fixed but confirmed that it will come up shortly after the Eid-El-Fitr Celebrations.

The statement was tagged: RE: Increased Hajj Fares By National Hajj Commission Of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The statement read in part: “This is with a view to discussing and rubbing minds on the increase in the Hajj Fare as announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in respect of the Y2022 Hajj to the Holy Land.

“We, therefore, implore our Intending Pilgrims in the State to attend this very important stakeholders meeting when called, in order to clarify issues and clear other grey areas.”

Justifying the increment Elegushi said: “Upon preliminary inquiry, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has explained that the increase was necessitated by (1) an increase in Foreign Exchange (FOREX) rate, (2) Value Added Tax from Saudi Arabia, and (3) Cost of Aviation Fuel for the Carriers.”