The House of Representatives has requested that President Bola Tinubu’s administration reduce the cost of this year’s Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, which has been officially fixed at N5 million.
The resolution was adopted after a motion presented by Umar Ajilo, member of the Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, during Thursday’s plenary.
Leading the debate on the floor of the House on the motion titled, “Need to review the 2024 Hajj fare payable by intending pilgrims,” Ajilo described pilgrimage as an important pillar of the Islamic religion “that enjoins the visitation of the Holy Mosques and other historical sites, among other significant rituals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“The House of Representatives notes that this year’s Hajj fare has been fixed at a very exorbitant rate of about N5 million, which is unsuitable for middle- and low-income intending pilgrims.
“The House is concerned that, given the surrounding circumstances and prevailing economic reality, it has become necessary to reassess and review the processes and procedures adopted by the National Hajj Commission in arriving at the fare with a view to reducing it, thereby making the fare affordable to the intending pilgrims.”
Following the approval of the motion, the House of Representatives encouraged the Federal Government to act by subsidising the Hajj ticket so that intended pilgrims might participate in the religious ceremony.
It further mandated “the Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage to engage the National Hajj Commission in reviewing and reassessing processes and strategies aimed at making pilgrimage fare more affordable for intending pilgrims.”
