FCT Muslim Pligrim Welfare Board has said that it would no longer entertain any payments made for Hajj exercise once the time stipulated for such has elapsed.
The Director, FCT Muslim Pligrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Adamu Evuti sound this note of warning at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday calling on those intending Pligrims who are yet to make their payment to do so on or before February 12th deadline.
Evuti explained that before now, the Board had been having challenge in the area of meeting up with the timeline as some intending Pligrims even made payments up to the day of take off to the Holy land.
He said, henceforth, the Board is determined to go in line with the new timeline given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to Evuti: ” The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has come up with a new timeline which indicates that all registrations, collection of data and payment by pilgrims must close atlest 45 days before Arafat.
” In view of this, NAHCON has issued a statement that all registrations, collection of data and Hajj fares for the 2024 by pilgrims should be closed by February 12th. By 1st of March, issuance of Visa will begin and By April 29th issuance of Visa will also be closed. By May 9th or May 11th, as the case may be, the first batch from Nigerians to the Holy land will take off.
” We will adhere to these timelines strictly, considering the way and manner Saudi Arabia adhere to all the rules and regulations coming with that.
He disclosed that out of 4,368 seats allocation given by the National Hajj Commission to the FCT for the 2024 hajj, the Board had so far registered close to 2.500 pligrims.
He urged those who have made their initial deposit of 4.5 million naira to the Board to ensure prompt payment of their balance amounting to one hundred and ninety- nine naira.
On accomodations, the Director disclosed that the board have secured good accomodations in the city of Tashir following their pre-visit to the holy land of Saudi Arabia.
He also urged all intending pilgrims to disclose their health status, as people with health challenge are not allowed for the spiritual exercise likewise the pregnant women.
Adamu-Evuti called on the faithful who like to sponsor their elderly family members to look for a reliable helper that will guide them through the period that the pilgrimage exercise will last.
