The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will from Thursday, December 28, 2017 commence the refund of over N140 million to pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia again 2016 and 2017.

The Overseer of the Board, Imam Husaini Sulaiman Tsoho Ikara, made this known in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi.

The statement said that each 2016 pilgrim will be paid N1,265.65, while 2017 pilgrims are to each receive N12,862.08 as refund for transportation, feeding and other services not rendered to them during the Hajj periods.

The Overseer said explained that 29 intending pilgrims who were unable to go on pilgrimage in 2017 will be refunded all their money with the exception of administrative charges including cost of main and hand luggage as well as the uniform which had already been given to them.

Imam Husaini Ikara called on the affected pilgrims to contact their registration officers with International Passport that has either 2016 or 2017 Hajj visa before being paid.

He warned Registration Officers to ensure that all the affected pilgrims receive their refunds after full identification and urged the pilgrims to comply with modalities of the payment for accountability and transparency.

Imam Hussaini Ikara said that the refund was money the Board received from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) earlier this month for services not rendered by the various service providers to the pilgrims at the Holy Land during the pilgrimage.