The Executive Governor, of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the payment of full money without any deduction to the state intending pilgrims, who missed the 2022 Hajj.
This was revealed by the Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Prof. Sayed Malik, while recently briefing journalists on 2022 Hajj report in his office at Olodo, Ibadan.
He stated that the Board has commenced full payment to those who wish to take their money back irrespective of initial cost deduction for their inoculation, clothes, bags and some other charges.
This is even as he further assured that those who do not wish to collect their money back will be given priority next year.
His words: “The Executive Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has graciously approved the payment of full money without any deduction to whoever among them intends to collect his/her money.
“His Excellency has also directed that those who want to use their money for the 2023 Hajj would be the first to be considered for the exercise”, he added.
Prof. Malik also said the that the Board has embarked another round of refund of unspent funds from the 2022 Hajj fare to all pilgrims who went with the Board for the Hajj exercise.
He then called on the pilgrims, to visit the account section of the Board along with their receipts, to claim their funds.
“All the pilgrims who performed the 2022 Hajj with the Board should come to Olodo Hajj Camp with their receipts for processing of the amount of money to be refunded.
“Our Account Department is confirming the amount remaining, after deducting all their expenses. Whatever is remaining would be given to each pilgrim”, he said
Prof. Malik noted though there were hitches in this year’s Hajj exercise such would not be allowed to re-occur in 2023.
“Lessons were learnt in this year’s Hajj exercise. And these lessons will be put to use in the planning of next year’s exercise. I want to assure you that we will block all loopholes noticed in the 2022 hajj. In sha Allah, 2023 Hajj will be better in terms of planning and arrangements”, Professor Malik said.
He exonerated the Board from the unfortunate phenomenon encountered by this year’s Hajj, while explaining that the inadequacies were not peculiar to Oyo State as they were experienced by the intending pilgrims in other states of the Federation.
“In fact, the problems were worse in some other states. This was why the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had to tender apology to the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and the Tour Operators”, he said.
Professor Malik however, stated that this year Hajj exercise was a success, despite some hitches encountered before the exercise.
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