Kaduna pilgrims to receive refund of 123 riyals each

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has started refunding  123 Saudi Riyals foreign exchange differentials to each of its pilgrims.

The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu  Abubakar, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday.

According to Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) had pegged the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance of each pilgrim at N1,143  per dollar.

He further explained that the total $500 BTA amounted  to N721, 500 per pilgrim.

According to him, the value of Naira had appreciated as at the time of the airlift of pilgrims, adding that the local currency exchanged for  N1,350.74 to a dollar.

Salihu further explained that the Naira equivalent of $500 BTA then decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim.

The Executive Chairman pointed out that the decrease owing to the forex differentials, amounted to N46, 130 per pilgrim.

He said the pilgrims agency subsequently got an exchange rate of ₦375 per Saudi Riyal for the balance translating to 123 Saudi Riyals, which is the amount that will be refunded  to each pilgrim, with an additional balance of ₦5.

The Executive Chairman explained that the Agency will start refunding 123 Saudi Riyals beginning with those who came with the first flight.

Meanwhile, Kaduna pilgrims have praised the state Special Hajj Committee and the Agency  for transparency and accountability in the conduct of hajj exercise.