Intending pilgrims from Taraba state on Monday lauded Saudi authority over deduction of about 52, 000 naira transportation fare for the 2019 hajj operation.
A cross section of intending pilgrims in the state who spoke to Blueprint in Jalingo shortly after the conclusion of their registration exercise to expressed gratitude over the decision to review 2019 fare.
An intending pilgrim, Alh Salihi Ardo-Kola who never said this is the beginning of a new down from the Saudi authority.
He “the deduction has brought a new leaf of life to intending pilgrims in Nigeria considering the current economic crisis in the country.”
Also speaking with Blueprint, Hajia Zaiba Ibi, confirmed that this year’s hajj operation was a unique one in that sense that this is the first time intending pilgrims would have a deduction of fare by the Saudi authority.
She commented Taraba state pilgrims board in its efforts to ensure that the balance from the deduction was returned to the intending pilgrims.
Briefing journalists on the preparation for 2019 hajj operation, the state executive secretary, Alhaji Umar Adamu Lame disclosed that the down ward review was as a result of re-classification of land transportation route as well as deduction of rates on the portal of the Saudi Arabian ministry of hajj and Umrah that would be used by Nigerians.
He further disclosed that preparation for airlifting of 1, 575 intending pilgrims have been complete, nothing that closing of registration earlier schedule for 21st of June has been extended to 15th July 2019 to enable pilgrims concludes registration formalities.
The executive secretary while commended governor Ishaku Darius for total support urged intending pilgrims from the state to pray for peace in Taraba and Nigeria as a whole.
Lame warned intending pilgrims to adhere strictly to the rule and regulations of the Saudi authority.
