Kaduna State's pilgrims are getting refunds from their travel allowances. The Pilgrims Welfare Agency says N76 million came from currency exchange gains.
Each pilgrim will receive 123 Saudi Riyals back. Officials confirmed the money has already been distributed among the travelers.
Malam Salihu S Abubakar, who heads the Agency, made the announcement in Makkah on Thursday. He spoke to selected broadcast journalists about how the refunds were calculated.
NAHCON had set the Basic Travelling Allowance at $500 per pilgrim. At the initial rate, this came to N721,500 per person.
But the naira strengthened before pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia. When the Central Bank released the funds, the exchange rate was N1,350.74 to the dollar.
That lower rate meant each pilgrim's BTA dropped to N675,370. The difference worked out to N46,130 per traveler.
"We announced the refund immediately and finished paying everyone," Abubakar noted. He said the money rightfully belonged to the pilgrims, not the Agency.
Some had argued the funds should go toward Hajj operations instead. Abubakar rejected this reasoning flatly.
Governor Uba Sani deserves credit for supporting the Agency's work, he added. The governor has consistently approved all necessary requests.
Kaduna's pilgrims also played their part in ensuring smooth operations. Abubakar called on them to maintain that cooperation as departure approaches.
The return flights begin June 15, following NAHCON's schedule. Pilgrims will come home in the same order they arrived.
"Those on the first flight going out will be first coming back," he explained. The pattern continues through all five flights without exception.
Emergency situations do allow for adjustments though. If someone falls ill or faces an urgent problem, officials will give up their seats.
But there's no jumping the queue for convenience or preference. Abubakar was firm on this point.
Luggage rules must be followed strictly without exception. Violations could delay travelers' departure from Saudi Arabia.
Each pilgrim gets two bags weighing 23 kilograms each. Hand luggage cannot exceed eight kilograms.
Sharp objects are banned from aircraft entirely. Zam-zam water and other liquids are also prohibited onboard.
Abubakar advised pilgrims to pack accordingly and respect these limits. Non-compliance will create unnecessary delays for everyone involved.
