Editor
To ensure transparency and accountability, The Pilgrims Welfare Agency Sokoto (PWAS) has said to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) will oversee the disbursement of refunds to Sokoto pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise.
The refunds, facilitated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), are for services not rendered during the pilgrimage.
The Agency has already set up a dedicated committee to monitor the screening and disbursement process for the eligible pilgrims.
According to a statement by the Agency’s Communication Officer, Danmalan Bashar Balarabe, this initiative was discussed and finalized during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Agency’s conference hall on Friday.
Preparations for Disbursement
The meeting also marked the beginning of preparations for the sale of 2025 Hajj slots allocated to Sokoto State by NAHCON.
The Chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Aliyu Musa, represented by the Director of Administration and Acting Secretary, Ladan Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of accountability.
He stated that the committee is tasked with ensuring thorough monitoring of the screening and payment process to guarantee that every eligible beneficiary receives their refund.
Local government officials have been directed to form sub-committees to facilitate the process at the grassroots level. They were also instructed to adhere strictly to disbursement rules, with EFCC, ICPC, and other security operatives actively monitoring the exercise.
Guidelines for Beneficiaries
The Director of Hajj Operations at the Sokoto PWA, Malam Abubakar Cika, urged beneficiaries to provide the necessary documents during the screening process. These include:
International passport
Travel documents
Payment details from previous transactions
Contact information
Bank account details
The Director of Finance, Alhaji Nasiru Abubakar, assured beneficiaries that payments would be transferred immediately after successful verification and clearance by the committee.
Committee Composition
The main committee comprises:
Chairman: Abubakar Cika, Director of Hajj Operations
Two Assistant Hajj Registration Officers
Ibrahim Muhammad, overseeing state government officials
Amiru Yusuf, managing pilgrims from PWA
Danmallam Bashir Balarabe, Media Aide
Surajo Bello Sifawa, serving as Secretary
At the local government level, committees are chaired by the Local Government Secretaries and include former and current Assistant Hajj Registration Officers, as well as other stakeholders familiar with the exercise.
This collaborative effort between the PWA, anti-corruption agencies, and local authorities underscores the commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent disbursement process for all eligible pilgrims.
