Lawmaker Implores FG to Provide Special Dollar Sales for Hajj Pilgrims 

Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

The member representing Illela/Gwadabawa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Abdullahi Balarabe Salame, Thursday implored the federal government to provide special intervention in terms of dollar sales to intending pilgrims in order to reduce the current Hajj fare to Saudi Arabia.

The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Nigeria/Saudi Arabia Special Committee on Hajj, spoke against the backdrop of complaints by Nigerians over the recent hike of hajj fare to the tune of N1.5 million by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

Speaking at a press briefing in Sokoto, Salame attributed the hike in the hajj fare to the depreciation of the nation’s currency, adding that the exchange rate of one dollar to N370 has affected the cost of goods and services in the country.

The lawmaker pointed out that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had fixed N306 per dollar to intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia which made the hajj fare to skyrocket.

He stressed the need for the federal government to give special consideration to the pilgrims by reducing the rate at which the dollar would be allocated to them.

Details later…