The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KSPWA) has initiated refunds to more than 3,000 pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj, following widespread complaints of inadequate services during the pilgrimage.
Yunusa Abdullahi, the spokesperson for KSPWA, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, detailing that each affected pilgrim has been reimbursed with N61,080, directly deposited into their respective bank accounts.
Abdullahi urged those who have not yet received their refunds to promptly contact their local government registration officers for immediate assistance.
The refunds were necessitated by disruptions experienced during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2023, particularly citing power outages in Mina which led to malfunctioning cooling systems, significantly impacting the comfort of pilgrims.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) intervened and mandated the refunds to alleviate the discomfort faced by the pilgrims.
Addressing the delay in disbursements, Abdullahi acknowledged challenges such as incomplete account details provided by some pilgrims but assured that efforts are underway to resolve these issues swiftly.
He also reassured pilgrims awaiting payment that another round of refunds is slated to commence within the week.
Salihu Abubakar, Chairman of KSPWA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring the expedient processing of all refunds owed to affected pilgrims.
“We recognize the importance of these refunds and are dedicated to completing the disbursement process efficiently,” Abubakar affirmed.
He further emphasized that alongside managing the refunds, the agency remains steadfast in its preparations for the upcoming 2025 Hajj.
The KSPWA continues to encourage affected pilgrims to remain patient as it works diligently to address all outstanding issues related to the 2023 Hajj refunds, underscoring its commitment to transparency and accountability in Hajj operations.
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