21st August, 2015
At least 1,262 intending pilgrims have been cleared by the Plateau Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to perform the 2015 Hajj from the state.
The Chairman, Committtee on 2015 Hajj Operations in the state, Malam Danlami Mohammed, disclosed this on Friday in Jos when the state House of Assembly Committee on Parastatals visited the board.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau Government had in June constituted a committee to spearhead the operations of the 2015 Hajj in the state.
Mohammed explained that of the total number cleared, 398 including operational staff and preachers were sponsored by the State Government, 150 sponsored by the various local government councils while the remaining would go on self sponsorship.
According to the chairman, the total number also included the medical team that would accompany the pilgrims from the state.
He assured that all arrangements have been concluded, adding that the first batch would be airlifted from Kaduna straight to Madina, Saudi Arabi, on Sunday (Aug. 23).
“’All arrangements to ensure a hitch free 2015 Hajj have been concluded; two days from now our passports will be ready and of course that is the final stage of the preparations.
“As you can see various orientation is being given to the intending pilgrims so that the real purpose of going for the pilgrimage is not defeated.
“I want to assure you that no intending pilgrim cleared that will not perform the Hajj. We will not allow what happened last year to repeat itself,” he assured.
NAN also reports that the fate of more than 406 persons who paid to perform the obligation last year has remained uncertain, though the board promised to look into the matter.
The chairman commended Gov. Simon Lalong for the support he rendered to the board, without which this year’s Hajj operations would be a “total mess”.
Mohammed, however, decried low budgetary allocation to the board and appealed for increase to enable it deliver on its mandate.
He also appealed that a permanent Hajj camp be constructed for the board so as to have large space that would enable it perform its functions well.
Responding, Chairman of the House committee, Mr Godfrey Langdip, assured the board of its commitment and support.
He further assured that the House would liaise with the executive to ensure the board gets better budgetary allocations henceforth.