BY LUKA BINNIYAT

KADUNA – Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, yesterday, said Governor Patrick Yakowa has offered to pay a subsidy of N42, 241,11 for each of the 7,500 pilgrims for the 2011 Hajj from the state, bringing the total expenditure to about  N3.67 billion.

Executive Secretary, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Ambassador Sule Buba, said this year’s premium class rate for the state pilgrims was N626, 499.75 just as additional N558,999.75 and N525, 249.75 respectively  is paid for the medium and minimum rates.

Buba said the shortfall for for the pilgrims was N42, 241 each, which  Gov. Yakowa  had agreed to pay as a subsidy.

On the preparedness of intending pilgrims, Buba said over 90 per cent of the intending pilgrims paid deposit of over N500,000 and were expected to pay the balance before the deadline given by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.