Kaduna State pilgrims are set to receive 123 Saudi Riyals each as a foreign exchange differential refund, following an appreciation of the naira during the recent hajj operations.
The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency commenced the refund on Monday, with payments scheduled after the Asir (4pm) prayer, starting with those who travelled on the first flight.
Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, announced the development in a special address following Zuhur (afternoon) prayer at the pilgrims’ Ibrahim Khalil residence.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, the refund arose from fluctuations in the exchange rate. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had initially fixed the $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) per pilgrim at N1,143 per dollar, amounting to N721,500 per pilgrim.
However, by the time of the airlift, the naira had appreciated to N1,350.74 per dollar, reducing the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA to N675,370 per pilgrim. The resultant foreign exchange differential stood at N46,130 per pilgrim.
Malam Salihu explained that the agency secured an exchange rate of N375 per Saudi Riyal for the balance, which translated to 123 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim, with an additional balance of N5. The remaining N5 will be paid in Nigeria to pilgrims who opt to collect it.
Meanwhile, Kaduna pilgrims have commended Malam Salihu’s Special Hajj Committee for its transparency and accountability throughout the hajj exercise.
