HAJJ 2019: Lagos Begins Refund Of Excess Payment To Pilgrims

In fulfillment of the promise made during a one-day seminar organised for its intending pilgrims, the Lagos State Government has commenced the refund of N100,000 to all the pilgrims that performed the Y2019 Holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on the payment, the Board Secretary, Mr. Rahman Ishola, recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had, in July 2019, mandated all the States to review their hajj fares downward and refund the excess to all pilgrims accordingly.

He said that it is in compliance with the directive by NAHCON and a demonstration of accountability that the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board commenced the refund by transferring the sum of N100,000 into the designated bank accounts of the pilgrims.

While noting that the disbursement had already been acknowledged by some of the pilgrims after receiving payment confirmation from their banks, he assured those yet to receive the payment to exercise patience, saying the Board will ensure that all those entitled to a refund are paid promptly.

Meanwhile, representatives of the State have paid a condolence visit to the Mafoluku-Oshodi and Lekki family houses of the two pilgrims who lost their lives while performing the Y2019 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Commiserating with the families on behalf of the State government, the Chairman of the 2019 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Jebe-Abdullahi, who led the Special delegation, urged relatives to accept the death of their beloved ones as an act of God.

He stressed that doctors in the Lagos State medical team and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia tried their best to save the lives of the pilgrims but could not because Allah decreed otherwise, praying that the Almighty Allah grants the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Alhaji Jebe-Abdullahi also presented a condolence letter to each of the families, promising that the death certificates and International Passports of the deceased would be handed over in due course.

Recall that two of the State’s pilgrims lost their lives in Saudi Arabia while performing this year’s hajj exercise.