COVER
Pressure Mounts on Tinubu, Govs over N95.9bn Hajj Fare Shortfall
Pressure is now on both President Bola Tinubu and state governors to provide intervention fund to enable intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia perform their religious obligation.
The pressure stems from the upward review of Hajj 2024 fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The commission announced an upward review of Hajj 2024 fare on Sunday, resulting in an outcry.
NAHCON which initially pegged the fare at N4.
When the requested sum of N1.918 million is multiplied by the 50,000 intending pilgrims, it will amount to N95.900 billion as the shortfall of the fare.
NAHCON had in Dec. 2023 fixed N4.9 million per pilgrim based on the then exchange rate of N897 to the dollar.
Authorities at both the state and federal levels could not meet the deadline set by Saudi Arabia to remit operational funds for hajj services despite extensions given because NAHCON was waiting for the Federal Government’s promised intervention to grant lower forex rates equivalent to the number of registered pilgrims from Nigeria.
With the approved timeframe for visa processing ticking away, NAHCON on Sunday, therefore, announced that due to the failure to meet obligations as when due, it had no option but to ask the about 50,000 intending pilgrims that had paid the initial fare of N4.9 million to pay additional N1.918 million on or before March 28.
As a Civil Society Organization (CSO) by name Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) raised the alarm yesterday saying over 90 percent of those who paid the initial deposit of N4.9 million cannot afford to raise additional N1.9 million within four days.
Mallam Muhammad Ibrahim, the National Chairman of IHR said, “It has therefore, become imperative for us to call on the state governors and the Federal Government to come in and provide immediate succour to the pilgrims by providing additional payments as a form of subsidy.
“Currently, NAHCON is on the verge of missing out on the deadline of 29 April set by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to process visas for Nigerian registered pilgrims – there will be no hajj without a visa.
“For example, it will take state pilgrims welfare boards a minimum of one week to make announcements for pilgrims to be aware of the new increase.
“Over 65 percent of those who have registered for the 2024 hajj are farmers and it will take an additional one week for those who have the means to be able to raise the N1.9 million increase announced by NAHCON.
“If the pilgrims were able to pay the additional increase, then states pilgrims boards will need a few days to transmit the collection to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the bank to begin the process of transferring the said sum to NAHCON’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN) in Saudi Arabia. It is only after this that payments can be made to Saudi Arabia based service providers.”
Ibrahim added, “With visa processing scheduled to close 35 days from now and the airlift of pilgrims billed to commence in 45 days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should come to the rescue and provide the needed support without asking pilgrims to pay an additional increase for 2024 hajj.
“Anything short of this will see Nigeria travelling to Hajj 2024 with less than 10,000 pilgrims out of the allocated 95,000 slots with a potential risk of Nigerian pilgrims missing out on 2024 Hajj.”
According to him, IHR had on several occasions called on relevant authorities to take firm decisions and implement them because what is happening now had been foreseen.
“We first raised the alarm on July 8, 2023 via a press statement titled ‘CSO urges NAHCON, states to commence registration of 2024 Hajj pilgrims in earnest’ when the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the commencement of Hajj 2024 operations even when Hajj 2023 was not concluded.
“This was followed by another statement dated 6th Dec where we pleaded with the Federal Government to grant concessionary exchange rates for 2024 hajj pilgrims.
“We are, therefore, appealing on behalf of all Nigerian Muslims that emergency interventions are provided so that pilgrims who have at least paid the initial deposit of N4.9 million are not denied the chance to fulfil this all-important religious obligation,” IHR said.
Similarly, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Mohammed Danmole has appealed to Tinubu to intervene.
Danmole said, “As a result of different regimes of rates of exchange given the tour operators and the state pilgrims board, it has become difficult for private tour operators to keep their clients.
“Your Excellency, I am sure that you will intervene and put succour and smile in the face of the private operators. I am appealing to the President to look into the high level of disparity in the exchange rate regime between the state sponsored pilgrims and those of the private tour operators.”
By David Torough, Abuja
Business tycoon Aminu Alhassan Dantata yesterday donated N1.5 billion to those affected flood in Maiduguri, Borno State.Dantata who was accompanied friends and associates in Kano was received in Maiduguri by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.The businessman extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of the state especially those who lost their beloved ones to the flood.
Dantata, 96 lamented the bad economy and prayed for the peace and harmony of Borno State and Nigeria. The Borno State governor expressed heartfelt gratitude for the visit.He acknowledged that its serves as a powerful beacon of hope and solidarity during the trying times.Zulum said, “The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of humanity by a 96-year-old to visit us.“Let me say it, Our Baba has donated the sum of N1.5 billion to support the flood victims. May Allah bless and reward you with Aljannah.”This donation comes after Dantata’s nephew, Aliko Dangote also donated N1 billion to the flood victims.Meanwhile, Borno State government has raised the alarm, saying the people are at the risk of health crisis.Government has warned residents against eating vegetables from flooded areas because they are contaminated.A statement posted by the Ministry of Information and Internal Security on Facebook yesterday advised the public to abide by the warning for their wellbeing.The statement read, “Due to the recent flood disaster, vegetables from flooded areas are seriously contaminated with harmful substances, including sewage, dead bodies, chemicals and bacteria.“Consuming these contaminated vegetables can lead to serious health risks, including waterborne diseases, food poisoning, and other health complications. “To protect your health and safety, we urge you to avoid buying vegetables from flooded areas; only purchase vegetables from trusted sources and reputable markets; ensure that all vegetables are properly washed and cleaned before consumption.”Nearly 500,000 people have been displaced and more than 1 million affected by flood that recently submerged several parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.The flood, described as the worst in the state in 30 years, resulted from the collapse of Alau Dam due to high rainfalls. The disaster also killed about 80 percent of animals in a zoo in the city as some ran away.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger State Government has signed a $2billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Turkish company, Direkci Group for the off-taking of Soya Beans in the State.The agreement signed at the Niger State Government House, Minna was witnessed by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, officials of Direkci Group led by their MD/CEO Mr Nurullah Mahmet and other top government functionaries.
The 10-year partnership, which will cost $200 million per year and $2 billion for the 10 years period, is under the Niger Foods, and is expected to boost agriculture in the State, create job opportunities and improve the economic status of local farmers. Bago appreciated the Turkish Government for the willingness to invest in Niger State.According to him, “This collaboration is a game-changer for Niger State and we are confident it will significantly reduce unemployment and boost food security.”He said going forward, the state government was equally willing to partner with Turkey in other areas beyond agriculture.The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Turkish company, Mr Nurullah Mahmet said they have been in agric business for decades and have established their presence in Nigeria for 17 years.He said they were attracted by the agricultural programmes of the state and partnering with the state would be mutually beneficial for both parties.He commended Bago for providing the needed impetus for agric investment in the state.The MD said they were willing to put in $10 billion in agriculture investment for the next 10 years and would work with the government of their country to provide security for their investment in the state.The Chairman, Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun disclosed that the Turkish firm will buy 500,000 tonnes of soya beans each year for 10 years.He said the agreement would empower local farmers by providing them with seeds and fertilizers, ensuring a guaranteed market for their produce.Adigun revealed that the Turkish firm was also investing in a 100,000 hectare Green House project with cold chain facility at the agro processing zone with an annual output of about 160,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables such as tomato and pepper among others.He added that the group will also establish a total of 2.5 million chicken production facility including eggs and feed mills production in two phases.Adigun said the partnership would establish 30,000 hectares of soya beans farms with irrigation systems in Adunu, Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.He announced that already, the group had ordered the first chicken house for 500,000 chickens and would be functional in six months time, while 2000 green houses were already being shipped as the group was also to provide $50 million as direct support to farmers.The agreement, according to Adigun will include the company providing security for their investment in areas prone to insecurity in the state.
From Sylvia Udegbunam EnuguEnugu State Government and Jelfah Nigeria Ltd yesterday signed N40 billion deal for the revitalisation of the long-moribund state-owned Sunrise Flour Mills, Enugu.The deal signed at the Government House, Enugu saw Jelfah acquire 60 percent equity stake in Sunrise Flour Mills and is expected to invest N24 billion in the iconic mills, which went moribund since 1985 just two years after it was commissioned in 1983.
The state government keeps 40 percent based on the existing assets of the company. Speaking at the brief signing ceremony and public announcement of the transaction, the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah said this milestone, coming on the heels of the N100 billion deal to resuscitate the hitherto dying Enugu United Palm Products Limited (UPPL) is clear demonstration of his administration’s determination to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through private sector investment.“Just a few months ago, we secured an investment size of N100 billion with a company known as Pragmatic Palms Limited, and today we have just witnessed Enugu State, again securing another investment size of N40 billion.“This investment will see Jelfah Group investing N24 billion into the existing Enugu Sunrise Flour Mills. N22bn will be directed into revamping and resuscitation of the Sunrise Flower Mill, and N2 billion is going to come to the State by way of cash.“The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is also going to own 10,000 hectares of farmland, where we are going to cultivate the inputs for the flour mills such as cassava and grain.“This is a testament that when we say Enugu State is open for business, we are truly committed to it. We understand how to make a win-win deal, both for the investors and for the people of Enugu State,” Mbah stated.He assured Jelfah group of continued support, enjoining other prospective investors to come over to invest in the state.“We hope that this signals to other investors, who may still be on the fence that Enugu is actually ready for business. We are committed to not just creating the enabling environment, but also working with investors to help them derisk investments and grow their businesses,” the governor concluded.Speaking, the Chairman of Jelfah Group, Moses Saromi, said they were attracted by Governor Mbah’s vision, dynamic leadership, and speedily increasing ease of doing business in Enugu State under his leadership, saying that Jelfah was in a hurry to transform Sunrise Mills to a centre of excellence.“Your policies have unlocked new opportunities for private sector participation, and Jelfah is proud to be part of this progressive movement.“This acquisition of 60 percent equity not only aligns with Jelfah’s long-term vision, but also furthers the governor’s ambition of empowering the people, revitalising moribund assets, and ensuring sustainable development. And together with our consortium partners, our goal is to transform Sunrise Flour Mills into a centre of excellence, harnessing our collective expertise to drive growth and value creation.“So, we firmly believe that this partnership will catalyse positive change, spark job creation, elevate local production capacities, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic advancement of Enugu State,” he said.“We have worked hard in the last months to get to this point. We have a short term, medium term, and a long term plan for the flour mills. Activities will start in earnest. In another 90 days, you are going to experience a lot of movements and activities with regards to the revitalisation of the flour mills.“Our activities will include recruitment of people, who will run the plant, indigenes of the state, obviously. And as the governor rightly said, we are creating a model that will provide the inputs for the mills, such as the 10,000 hectres of farmlands to cultivate all the inputs for the mills,” he said.
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