As part of preparations for the 2022 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, intending pilgrims going through Kogi State have been given May 15th as deadline for payment of fares.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Hajj Commission, Sheikh Luqman Imam Abdullahi made this known in Lokoja while giving updates on the preparations.
The commission disclosed that there has been an increase in the amount payable, as the fares for the trip has been tentatively fixed at N2, 656,000.
The new fare is higher than the previous year.
The commission explained that the rise in cost was necessitated by the local exchange rate and increase in the value added tax, (VAT), from 5% to 15% by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Abdullahi advised intending pilgrims to update their payments to the new amount, emphasizing that the final Hajj fares is yet to come.
He added that every intending pilgrims should take the Covid-19 vaccination and provide prove, which is a requirement for the Hajj operation.
