The Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board yesterday said only about 200 intending pilgrims have completed payment of the 2017 Hajj fare as approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The board however said through its Public Relations Officer, Wada Haruna, that it was yet to fix a deadline for the payment of the Hajj fare.

Our reporter gathered that the over 600 intending pilgrims who had earlier deposited N1 million were yet to complete the fare which the NAHCON approved at N1,529,036.80 for Plateau State.

Haruna explained that the state had been allocated about 1,200 Hajj seats in 2016 and 2017 adding that board officials were at present on a pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia and would return during the Sallah period.

“By the time they return, all the arrangements would have been worked out and I’m sure most people would have to complete their payments once a deadline is set because the time would be short,” he said.

The PRO said most of the intending pilgrims for this year, as it was last year, were Fulani cattle herders.

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2017 Hajj: Only 200 Plateau pilgrims have finalised payments