Jigawa hajj committee returns N105m to treasury

Adamu Amadu, Dutse - 15.04.2008

The Jigawa State 2007 Hajj Committee, led by the deputy dovernor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud, has returned about N105 million to the state treasury out of the N400 million budgeted for its activities.

Alhaji Mahmud disclosed this on Monday in Dutse while submitting the committee’s report to Governor Sule Lamido.

He explained that during the exercise, all the pilgrims from the state were well taken care of.

The deputy governor said “the accommodation provided was the best available and the welfare package was second to none,” adding that the committee paid an extra attention to prudence and accountability.

“This is why we were able to save so much even when we had organised the best hajj in the history of the state,”he said.

He explained that the committee saved N23 million from the money appropriated for welfare and sundry expenses while it was able to refund N82 million, being the accommodation deposit loaned to the committee by the state government.

The chairman maintained that the poor services rendered by the airlines almost marred the operation as the committee had to take extra measures, including feeding stranded pilgrims three times a day until they were airlifted.

He recommended that the issue of airline carriers should be properly addressed ahead of the 2008 operations.

Receiving the report, Governor Lamido praised the members of the committee and the Amir for their dedication and honesty in the discharge of their responsibilities, describing the deputy governor as a true leader.

According to him, “Jigawa State operated the best hajj in 2007. In 2006, the state spent N1.5 billion and ended with a debt of N500 million. But in 2007, with a budget of less than N400 million, we operated the best hajj in the country and yet, you were able to save so much. It shows that we will continue to raise the benchmark in Jigawa. I am proud of you.”

Speaking to journalists after submitting the report, the deputy governor attributed the success and prudence of the committee to the commitment and honesty of all the members of the committee.

He said they were all men and women of integrity “who were committed to the wellbeing of their fellow citizens.”