Agency to refund Kaduna pilgrims 123 Riyals each

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency began refunding 123 Saudi Riyals to each of its pilgrims on Monday to offset foreign exchange losses.
The Agency’s Executive Chairman, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, explained to the pilgrims how the balance was calculated during a special announcement after Zuhur (afternoon) prayer at their Ibrahim Khalil residence.
According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had set the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance for each pilgrim at N1,143 per dollar.
A press statement from Malam Ibraheem Musa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, stated that Salihu further clarified that the total $500 BTA equaled N721,500 per pilgrim.
He noted that the naira had appreciated at the time of the pilgrims’ airlift, with the currency exchanging at N1,350.74 per dollar.
Malam Salihu explained that the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA then decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim.
He pointed out that this decrease, due to forex differentials, amounted to N46,130 per pilgrim.
Malam Salihu added that the agency secured an exchange rate of N375 per Saudi Riyal for the remaining balance.
He clarified that this amount corresponds to 123 Saudi Riyals, the refund amount for each pilgrim, with an additional N5 balance.
The Executive Chairman announced that the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency would start refunding 123 Saudi Riyals to pilgrims after the Asir (4pm) prayer, beginning Monday, starting with those on the first flight.
He also stated that the remaining balance would be paid in Nigeria for pilgrims who opt to receive it.
Meanwhile, Kaduna pilgrims have praised the Malam Salihu S Abubakar-led Special Hajj Committee for its transparency and accountability during the Hajj process and for the agency as a whole.