The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the payment of N61,080 to each of the 6,239 pilgrims who performed Hajj through the state in 2023.
Yunusa Mohammed Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the agency, said the refunds were received by the agency from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He said: “NAHCON has specifically stated that the refunds are due to an interruption in the electricity supply during the pilgrims’ stay at Muna, which affected the cooling systems and consequently caused inconveniences to the pilgrims.”
Yunusa explained that each pilgrim will receive the sum of N61,080, and these funds will be disbursed directly into the accounts of the affected pilgrims.
The Executive Chairman of the agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, also said during a meeting with the Local Government Pilgrims Registration Officers today: “We will do everything possible to ensure only verified pilgrims with bank account details receive the refunds.
The agency called on the affected pilgrims who have not yet submitted their details to approach their Local Government registration officers for documentation and verification.
The details required for verification are international passports and bank account details.
All payments will be transferred directly to the pilgrims’ bank accounts to eliminate any discrepancy, the statement said.
The chairman urged the registration officers to ensure strict compliance with the requirements for transparency and accountability.