Ahead of the 2017 Hajj, the Plateau State Government said it has paid for 400 intending pilgrims, who could not perform the exercise in 2014 but their monies were not refunded.

This was disclosed by Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, the Amirul Hajj for Plateau State pilgrims, while speaking with journalists in Jos.

Garga, who is Plateau Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said that out of those sponsored by government, 400 were deferrees who paid for the exercise in 2014 but could not go.

The Amirul Hajj said that the situation generated a lot of problems and government decided to sponsor those that still wanted to perform the hajj and refunded the monies of those that were no longer interested.

“The case of the diversion of the 2014 hajj fare is with the EFCC and other anti corruption agencies and government decided to sponsor those who wanted go in anticipation that when the issue is resolved and the money recovered, it would go into government coffers.

“With the 400 that were sponsored, the state government has successfully cleared the backlog of those who paid and couldn’t go as government had in past two years been assisting them to go,” he explained.

According to him, a total of 1104 intending pilgrims from the State are to travel to the holy land for this year’s Hajj to perform their religious obligation.

Our correspondent learnt that each intending pilgrim is to pay the sum of N1.529 million (N1,529,03.80).

He further explained that, out of those that would perform the hajj, some were self sponsored.

The Amirul Hajj said that based on the time table of the National Hajj Commission, the intending pilgrims would tentatively be airlifted on 22nd August, 2017.

“Unlike previous years that Plateau pilgrims were airlifted from Kaduna International Airport, this year they will be airlifted at Bauchi International Airport”, he said.

The Commissioner said that the Plateau State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board had already commenced the sensitization of the intending pilgrims.

Garga further stated that the intending pilgrims were being enlightened against‎ carrying things prohibited in the holy land “because the Saudi Authorities don’t bend their laws.

“We try to educate them on some of the laws to be mindful of and work in the confines of the law.

“We advised them to properly secure their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) as that is their feeding allowance that will sustain them in the period that they will stay in the holy land.”

“Experience has shown that some start buying gifts the moment they arrive with the money that they are supposed to use for their feeding and upkeep,” he explained.

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2017 Hajj: Accusations of impropriety, as PLSG says it will only pay for 400 pilgrims