The refund follows a reduction of N57,000 from the earlier stipulated N1.5million sum for this year’s Hajj operations paid by each intending pilgrimage, making the actual money now to be paid by each pilgrim at N1.48million.
Speaking in Kano, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abba Muhammad Dambatta, however, warned that his office would not succumb to pressure of paying the refunds on desk, instead of at the bank.
He said, “many Intending pilgrims have approached them asking to be paid their refunded N57,000 cash because they do not posses bank accounts, but they categorically told them that it will amount to fraud and create an avenue for siphoning their money.”
Abba Muhammad explained that because of that problem, they entered into an agreement with their Bank just across their office to create a Desk that would immediately open an account for anyone who does not possess Bank account.
The Executive Secretary notes that “in an efforts to ensure a hitch-free 2019 Hajj operations, the board has engaged 318 Ullamas who would enlighten the intending pilgrims as well as all the security operatives and Health Workers to categorically highlight to them the dangers of violating Saudi Arabian Laws.”
He said in 2018 Kano received series of commendations from the Nigeria Intelligence Agency NIA, National Hajj Commission, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their good conducts, urging this year Pilgrims to sustained that tempo for good.
Abba said that in the preparations for this year Hajj exercise, “we have visited Saudi Arabia for about five times to ensure that Kano get an excellent accommodations and other Hajj needed things for a smooth operations
