Senate confirms new Board members, clarification on SR300 visa application fees, other matters

Nigerian Senate has approved the nomination of fourth Board for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The Head of Public Affairs of the Commission, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, made this known in an official statement she issued in Abuja on Thursday sent to The DEFENDER.

The confirmation, the NAHCON Spokesperson said, was sequel to the screening of the Board nominees conducted Wednesday, 29th January.

She said the Senate during its 30th January plenary, confirmed nominations sent to it some weeks back by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 4th Board is to be led by Barrister Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON.

In another development, the Commission seized opportunity provided by the statement to clarify, by way of follow up, a circular it released to States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other Hajj stakeholders on a new visa regime by the Saudi Arabian authorities.

“In the said circular dated 10th January, 2020, the Saudi Arabian authority revealed that it has reviewed application fees for all categories of visas through a Royal Decree No. M/2.

“The new rate is a flat SR300 (three hundred Saudi Riyals) visa application fee for all types of visas whether Single Entry, with three months validity, Multiple Entry with one-year validity, Hajj Visa with a validity period within Hajj season only, all carry the same application fee of SR300.

“The Commission however draws the attention of the public to note that the said SR300 stands as a visa application fee only. There are other essential requirements/charges depending on individual package choices that must be paid before visa is obtained.

“With regards to 2019 Hajj Zamzam distribution, it would be recalled that some pilgrims did not receive their Zamzam water as aftereffect of one of the selected airline’s inability to discharge its Hajj airlift contractual agreements. All efforts to transport all the consignments proved abortive.

“As compensation, the Commission has released refunds to those pilgrims affected by the shortage. The states and number of pilgrims affected are 65 pilgrims from Kano, 74 from Ebonyi, 115 pilgrims from Oyo state, 356 from Ogun state and 846 pilgrims from Plateau state. Affected pilgrims are advised to contact their state welfare boards for their refund.

“Similarly, the Commission would like to inform all winners of its weekly quiz program in AS YOU ANSWER THE CALL, aired from 10:00 -10: 30 pm every Monday on the NTA network, that a cash prize of N25,000 each is the token for the winners. The Commission forwards this prize as its own form of social support to the public as well as a way of encouraging research in Hajj matters.”