TheCable

Abdullahi Mukhtar, executive chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has revealed that the commission would refund N1.7 billion to some of the pilgrims of the 2015 hajj.

He made the disclosure on Wednesday while inaugurating the 2016 hajj carriers screening committee in Abuja.

Mukhtar explained that the money was for services not rendered to the pilgrims in terms of feeding, accommodation, and for those who were unable to perform the hajj last year.

He said it had become an annual tradition for NAHCON to make such refund, but that the volume in 2015 was higher than the previous years.

Mukhtar said the commission had evolved a strategy to make sure that all those who were supported received what was entitled to them.

“After the 2015 hajj, the account department of NAHCON carried out a thorough reconciliation with all service providers, both the Nigerian service providers and the Saudi service providers, and they were able to come up with substantial amount that will be refunded to all the state pilgrims’ welfare boards and agencies and this amount is to the tune of about N1.7 billion,” he said.

Mukhtar said NAHCON had set up machinery to create awareness among the public who participated in 2015 hajj to approach their respective pilgrims boards for the refund.

“We believe in the leadership of the state board, we appreciate their capacities to effect the refund in line with financial regulations and in line with the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

The chairman also said proper monitoring of the refund of the money would be carried out by the commission and other agencies involved.