Senate Confirms New Board Members, Clarification on SR300 Visa Application Fees and Other Matters
by Taiwo H
Press Statement:
Senate Confirms New Board Members, Clarification on SR300 Visa Application Fees and Other Matters
Sequel to the screening of 4th NAHCON Board nominees conducted yesterday, 29th January, Senate today, 30th January in plenary has confirmed the nominations sent by President Muhammadu Buhari. The 4th Board is to be led by Barrister Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
In another development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria wishes to make the following clarification as a follow-up to a circular released by NAHCON to States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other Hajj stakeholders on a new visa regime by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
In the said circular dated 10th January, 2020, the Saudi Arabian authority revealed that it has reviewed application fees for all categories of visas through a Royal Decree No. M/2. The new rate is a flat SR300 (three hundred Saudi Riyals) visa application fee for all types of visas whether Single Entry, with three months validity, Multiple Entry with one-year validity, Hajj Visa with a validity period within Hajj season only, all carry the same application fee of SR300.
The Commission however draws the attention of the public to note that the said SR300 stands as a visa application fee only. There are other essential requirements/charges depending on individual package choices that must be paid before visa is obtained.
With regards to 2019 Hajj Zamzam distribution, it would be recalled that some pilgrims did not receive their Zamzam water as aftereffect of one of the selected airline’s inability to discharge its Hajj airlift contractual agreements. All efforts to transport all the consignments proved abortive. As compensation, the Commission has released refunds to those pilgrims affected by the shortage. The states and number of pilgrims affected are 65 pilgrims from Kano, 74 from Ebonyi, 115 pilgrims from Oyo state, 356 from Ogun state and 846 pilgrims from Plateau state. Affected pilgrims are advised to contact their state welfare boards for their refund.
Similarly, the Commission would like to inform all winners of its weekly quiz program in AS YOU ANSWER THE CALL, aired from 10:00 -10: 30 pm every Monday on the NTA network, that a cash prize of N25,000 each is the token for the winners. The Commission forwards this prize as its own form of social support to the public as well as a way of encouraging research in Hajj matters.
