The former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Oyinlomo Danmole, has made an appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the escalating costs associated with this year’s hajj pilgrimage.
Read Also: Tinubu assures that the insecurity challenges will soon come to an end
He emphasized that the current fare for hajj has become unaffordable for many intending pilgrims due to the fluctuating exchange rates, making it challenging for them to fulfill this important religious obligation.
Danmole highlighted the significance of President Tinubu’s intervention in assisting intending pilgrims to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.
He stressed the importance of addressing the issue of the tight four-day deadline imposed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on operators, suggesting an extension of the deadline by an additional week to alleviate the pressure on both operators and pilgrims.
In a statement, Danmole expressed concerns over the disparity in exchange rates used by different entities involved in the hajj process, particularly affecting private tour operators.
He pointed out that the sudden increase in the total amount to be paid for services rendered by Saudi authorities and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah has put operators in a difficult position, especially considering the discrepancies in exchange rates and the lack of transparency in the process.
The former commissioner highlighted the challenges faced by private operators who had already collected deposits from clients based on previous exchange rates, only to be confronted with a significant increase in costs due to the exchange rate fluctuations.
He warned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, it could have severe repercussions on the private operators, potentially jeopardizing the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and threatening their businesses.
