The Katsina State Government said it had spent not less than N300 million to secure accommodation for its 4,463 intending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the 2015 Hajj .

Gov. Aminu Masari said this on Friday in Katsina while inaugurating the committees on Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and Amirul-hajj.

Masari said that the state government had acquired four houses near the ‘Ka’abah’ (the holy mosque) that would accommodate all the intending pilgrims from the state, which he hoped would assist them to perform the hajj with ease.

He, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to ensure they intensified their prayer-sessions for the state and the country.

The governor said that the government had organised sensitisation workshops to educate and enlighten the intending pilgrims on proper conduct while in Saudi Arabia for the hajj.

He also said that the government would provide free medication to its intending pilgrims in Madina and Mecca, and urged them to exhibit good behaviours and be good ambassadors of the state while in the holy land.

Masari who assured the citizens of the state that his administration was committed to ensure a hitch- free hajj, charged the committees to work hard to realise the objectives for which they were set up.

Alhaji Salisu Shinkafi and Amb. Abdullahi Aminchi, the board Chairman and the new Amirul-hajj respectively, commended Masari for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.

They assured the governor that they would work hard to ensure successful hajj. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Masari.