2021 Hajj: Intending Pilgrims Get Refunds From C-River Board

BY EDMOND ODOK – The Cross River Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (CRMPWB) has refunded monies to all intending pilgrims who made deposits for the now cancelled 2021 Hajj activities.

Chairman of the Board Alhaji Rabilu Abdullahi Maimaje said the decision was made following directives from Governor Ben Ayade after this year’s exercise was cancelled for all international pilgrims by the Saudi authorities.

In a signed press statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Alhaji Maimaje said; “The deposits, which were made with the intention of performing the 2021 Hajj, we fully refunded to all depositors as directed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade after the cancellation of the Hajj exercise for all international pilgrims this year.

“It is worthy of note, that due to the pandemic that caused the 2020-2021 Hajj to be limited to only pilgrims within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, directed the immediate refund of funds to all intending pilgrims who made deposits with the board, The refunds were successfully completed yesterday 23rd June 2021.

“The Board will from time to time update the intending pilgrims on developments arising in the Hajj industry.”

“The board will also come out with several initiatives to mitigate the queuing system for the 2022 Hajj and will duly notify the general public when registration for the 2022 Hajj will commence”, the statement said.

According to Maimaje, the board has accepted the decision reached by both the Saudi Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in good faith.

He therefore appealed to all the intending pilgrims to also accept the decision as all the parties involved acted in good faith.