Why Critics of Hajj Subsidy Missed the Point – NAHCON Boss
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalal Arabi, has justified the release of funds for pilgrims by federal and state governments to support intending pilgrims who were asked to raise additional N1.9 million each.
The federal and some state governments had intervened by raising billions of Naira to support pilgrims from their states to cushion the effect of the extra fee.
Some critics have however questioned the rationale behind such intervention, saying it shouldn’t be a priority at a time people are made to pay more for fuel and electricity, and government keeps complaining of lack of money to take adequate care of workers’ welfare.
Fielding questions from journalists during an Iftar session on Friday, Arabi argued that removal of subsidies on fuel and other commodities is not to be compared with the intervention on Hajj since the former benefits a few people and the latter gets down to the intended beneficiaries.
He added that religion is a very sensitive issue in Nigeria and commended President Bola Tinubu and state governors for coming to the aid of pilgrims aside the huge support they had given the Commission to enable it succeed in this year’s Hajj operation.
The NAHCON boss argued that if the government had turned a deaf ear on the issue, it would have looked like abandoning people at their time of need.
“Government has a duty to help within the confines of the law. Religion is very sensitive and government must do its best. There were series of interventions to make sure the price didn’t go off the roof. But when it did, something had to be done.
Government has a responsibility to keep the nation one. To avoid rancour and division. Government must do so for all religions. People can only complain if it is not done for others. Government must support. They did. They did their best. As far as you assist both, it is in order. There is no segregation. What is the point keeping the money when people need it to fulfill an obligation?
“Religion is very sensitive in this country and government must support. After all, the money is meant for the people,” he argued.
