Lagos Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, says it will meet with intending pilgrims to this year’s Hajj to deliberate on the increased fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said in a statement on Monday that government would also meet with NAHCON officials and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Elegushi said that the meeting was aimed at discussing the increase in 2022 Hajj fare, as announced by NAHCON.
He said that the meeting would come up shortly after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, adding that the date would be communicated to all concerned in due course.
The commissioner said that upon preliminary inquiry, NAHCON explained that the fare increase was necessitated by an increase in foreign exchange (forex) rate, value added tax from Saudi Arabia and the cost of aviation fuel for the carriers.
”We, therefore, implore our intending pilgrims in the state to attend this very important stakeholders’ meeting anytime it is called, in order to clarify issues and clear other grey areas.
”Meanwhile, we assure our intending pilgrims of continued better service and assistance in the course of carrying out this all-important pillar of Islam,” he said.