Hajj Board Begins Visa Processing For Intending Pilgrims

The Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Muhammad Bashir, says the board had commenced processing of visa for those who completed payment of their 2018 Hajj fare.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Bashir said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had allocated 2,115 slots to the board, adding that 50 per cent of the slots has already been sold.

He said 80 percent of those who paid deposits for their fares have been given passports

The director further advised those who are yet to pay the balance of their fares to do so before May 31, to enable the board meet the deadline for registration set by NAHCON.

Bashir said the 2018 Hajj fare for FCT intending pilgrims was N1,492,867.15, with flat Basic Travel Allowance of 800 U.S. dollars.

He said the figure was N45,351.47 lower than the fare paid during the 2017 Hajj, attributing the reduction to concerted efforts by NAHCON to lessen the hardship of Hajj fare due to introduction of various policies by the Saudi Authority.

No fewer than 95,000 pilgrims from Nigeria are expected to perform the 2018 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Bashir assured that all intending pilgrims who paid in excess would get their refund as soon as the board finished compilation of names and banks details.

The director said the board had already secured comfortable accommodation for intending pilgrims in Makkah and had concluded arrangements with service providers (feeding) in Saudi Arabia.