Jigawa Pilgrims Board worries over Hajj BTA deduction

The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has expressed worry about the reduction of the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for 2023 Hajj pilgrims.

The executive secretary of the board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, stated this in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital.

DAILY POST reported that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an increase of $250 from the 2023 Hajj fare.

The increment was due to the ongoing Sudan crisis, which had resulted in the closure of the country’s airspace for security reasons and necessitated all Hajj airlift flights to operate through alternate routes, with flight duration varying from one hour and 40 minutes to three hours long, depending on the departure points in Nigeria.

NAHCON resolved to reduce the basic travel allowance (BTA) from $800 to $700, as provided in the Hajj package.

Labbo noted that the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board had already sent BTA to the first batch of pilgrims.

He urged intending pilgrims to make use of what they have learned during training for a successful Hajj exercise.

Labbo also urged them to report to the Hajj camp only when they are informed to do so.