The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has met with representatives of air carriers that airlifted pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj.
It said the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the complication that hindered the settlement of the year’s ticket fees to the airlines.
These were contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Thursday.
According to Usara, those present at the meeting were the representatives of Aero Contractors, Max Air, Air Peace, Azman and FlyNas.
Usara recalled that the air ticket fee for the 2023 Hajj was $2,026 at a concessionary rate of N456 to a Dollar.
In Naira equivalent, pilgrims paid N923,856 as cost of return ticket.
She added: “Unfortunately, by the time the Hajj airlift was concluded, the Dollar had already risen leading to the predicament.
Also Read:
- Sisters docked for allegedly beating up trader over N300 ‘change’
- Lagos advocates collective participation to drive improved schools sanitation
- Tech, Agro, Manufacturing, Creative Sectors can drive sustainable non-oil exports in Nigeria – 9mobile CEO
- Elaine named Spotify EQUAL Africa’s Artist for October
- Aiyedatiwa sacks aide over alleged bribery, intimidation, orders probe
“The Dollar volatility since then kept worsening the situation.
“Series of meetings held to resolve the matter had always ended in a log-jam with the airlines insisting for payment in Dollars as stated in the contract.
“Considering the protracted predicament, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima intervened with an appeal to the airlines to accept payment of the air fare in Naira in the face of Dollar scarcity.
“Hence, the Commission yesterday, 18th September 2024 invited the airlines for a resolution of the matter.”
Speaking during the consultative meeting, Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq, who led the deliberations, recognised the airlines for their mutual understanding and demonstration of loyalty for a long term partnership, praying that by the end of the meeting, both parties would reach a common ground.
In his remark, Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, observed that the outstanding payment was overdue and praised the airlines for their magnanimity, lamenting that the reason for the stalemate was the insistence by the airlines to receive payment only in Dollars, but a shift in this stance would hopefully end further delay in settling the debt.
On their own, the airlines’ representatives expressed frustrations, but subsequently agreed with the proposed Naira payment and promised to work with the Commission in ending the log-jam.
Meanwhile, the Commission is scheduled to meet with other important stakeholders to discuss critical Hajj 2025 issues.
