The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed state pilgrims’ welfare boards to expeditiously remit a reasonable percentage of their deposits for next year’s hajj.

The commission said that failure of any state to hasten up the remittance of deposit on or before December 2023 would amount to reduction of slots allocated to such state.

Director, Finance and Accounts, NAHCON, Dr. Salihu. A. Usman, in a letter addressed to chief executives of state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and commissions, said that the directive became necessary in view of the timeline issued by Saudi authorities.

According to him, the Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made it mandatory for every hajj mission that intends to participate in the 2024 hajj to remit their pilgrims’ deposits before a certain period.

He said: “I am directed to inform you that considering the new timelines slated by Saudi authorities for 2024 hajj activities, you are urged to expeditiously remit a reasonable percentage of funds for the slots allocation to your respective states.”

‘Failure to do so shall be interpreted as unpreparedness on your part and shall leave the commission with no option but to slash your allocation and add to the more prepared states as appropriate to meet datelines and ultimately facilitate a hitch-free exercise.

“Non-compliance with the directive would leave the commission with no alternative or option but to reduce the allocation of such states and allotted to states that have completed their remittance and in need of more slots.

“It is important that the commission’s IBAN account needs to be adequately funded by December for the commission to make payment to undertake or process some activities in the Kingdom.

A statement by Deputy Director, Information and Publication, NAHCON, Mousa Ubandawaki, called for continued cooperation and understanding from the state boards to meeting the deadline and facilitating a hitch-free 2024 hajj exercise.