Several pilgrims to this year’s Hajj have complained of reduction in their expected Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) issued by their state Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
Intending pilgrims from Katsina state, especially those who paid for first class seats expressed worry over the BTA issued to them. It was gathered that the pilgrims who were expecting about $1500 USD were paid $1000 Dollars only.

A pilgrim who pleaded anonymity said the states pilgrim welfare board paid him $1000 Dollars having paid a first class seat which attracts $1500 as BTA.
Another intending pilgrim from Plateau state accused officials of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of allegedly cutting his BTA by $250.
It was reported that pilgrims from Plateau state received a BTA of $750 after paying N1,035,000 for their hajj seats.
When contacted, the board’s Public Relations Officer Wada Haruna denounced the allegations as baseless.
He explained that the pilgrims from Plateau had paid for the lowest seat which cost about N1million adding that the remaining N35,000 covered expenses for local charges which include their uniforms, luggage as well as transportation in Saudi Arabia.
When contacted, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina state pilgrims welfare board, Abu Rimi said the issues arose from a recent circular issued to them from National Hajj commission and CBN that only $1000 Dollars is to be paid to all those who had earlier deposited for first class seat as against $1500 dollars.

Credit: dailytrust