Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has taken a bold shift towards modernising the payment process for Hajj fares for the upcoming 2025 pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu stated this during a meeting held yesterday with members of the Board and Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers (APWO’s) to discuss preparations for the annual pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary, while addressing the meeting , emphasized that the new modernized payment system is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the collection of Hajj fares and enhance welfare of the pilgrims from the State.
He noted that the implementation of the new payment system will eliminate any inconsistency and ensure that all transactions are traceable; a shift from the traditional bank draft system which is obsolete and has been causing a lot of delays in the fast tracking activities in the system.
According to him, the APWO’s, desk officers and the ICT officers of the Board would be adequately trained and equipped with the skills required for the job.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the 2024 Hajj operations, highlighting the advancements made and the lessons learned from the previous year’s pilgrimage.
The initiative is anticipated to significantly reduce potential fraud of funds, fostering a more trustworthy system for all parties involved.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Sheikh Abubakar Muhammad Beji expressed confidence that these reforms will lead to a more organized and efficient pilgrimage experience, thus enhancing the spiritual journey for all pilgrims from Niger State.
Meanwhile, the 2025 initial Hajj fare would be announced in due course in order to ensure prompt and timely payment from the intending pilgrims.
