Nigeria: Plateau Releases N271 Million for Hajj

Jos — The Plateau State Executive Council on Thursday approved the release of N271 million to sponsor Muslims in the state for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The council also approved the release of N924 million to purchase 10,500 units of prepaid water metres for Jos and Bukuru, and N175 million naira for the reactivation of the 33KVA line destroyed by flood in Langtang and Wase

Mr Abraham Yiljab, the Commissioner for Information, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting in Jos, said the sponsorship was part of the government’s commitment to the spiritual growth of the people.

“The government has shown this commitment through the approval of N271 million for the performance of this year’s Hajj that will enable Muslims brothers and sisters to visit the Holy Land,” he said.

Yiljab said that the government was proud that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had rated Plateau among the best in the performance of last year’s pilgrimage.

The commissioner said the government would continue to encourage people to be more spiritually inclined so as to raise their moral standard.

He said that the government was committing a lot of resources towards ensuring peace and unity among the people.

Yiljab warned that the government would not accept the re-sale of forms provided for the exercise.

“Anybody who violates the rule risks arrest and prosecution because government will not tolerate a situation where people take advantage of some positions to make money.”

On the fund approved for flood affected areas in parts of the state, Yiljab said it was meant to restore electricity supply to the areas.

NAN