The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is out with new operational guidelines and restrictions for managers and pilgrims to check avoidable increases in fares as the 2022 pilgrimage approaches.

Its Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, in his Eid-el-Fitr message, yesterday, explained that preparation for a successful pilgrimage, beginning next month, had reached an advanced stage, essentially with critical partners and service providers.

Though the Commission is yet to release the final fare for this year’s exercise, the hajj authorities in the country had issued a tentative sum of N2.5 million for each intending pilgrim, considering new charges by the Saudi government and an increase in the exchange rate.

The NAHCON boss urged prompt payment to hasten documentation and airlifting of pilgrims.

He said: “Let me seize this opportunity to update the public on the latest development arising from an official visit to National Tawafa Company for Pilgrims of Non-Arab African Countries in Saudi Arabia, simply referred to as Mu’assasa.

“NAHCON delegation received a briefing on some policy guidelines pertaining to a few areas of hajj operation. One of these is the restriction of four pilgrims to a room. Similarly, this year, pilgrims shall be organised 45 to a group under one supervisor. Details of the grouping procedure will follow subsequently.

“I hence encourage stakeholders, saddled with the responsibility of organising such groups, to start strategising to capably meet up with the requirement when the time comes. Another new plan in this year’s hajj is that feeding in Masha’ir would be managed by the Mu’assasa – this is the Muna, Muzdalifa and Arafat domains where pilgrims relocate for devotional retreat.”

He expressed optimism that the “Hajj 2022 will be a success if we resolve to collectively contribute our quota towards attaining a hitch-free pilgrimage.”