NAN-H-66
Hajj
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Dec. 30, 2016(NAN) The Katsina State Government said on Friday that it would set up a committee to investigate alleged financial misdeeds committed by some officials of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board during the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Gov. Aminu Masari said this when he received report of a committee on the conduct of the 2016 Hajj.
“It is disheartening for officials to defraud those entrusted to them while in the Holy land.
“This criminal act will not be condoned, all those found wanting will be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others,’’ he said.
He also said that the government would constitute a new board for the pilgrims agency to ensure proper coordination and smooth operations of the 2017 hajj.
Earlier, the Chairman, Katsina State Hajj Committee, Alhaji Salisu Shinkafi, told the governor that some hajj officials shortchanged some pilgrims from rural areas in the payment of their Basic Transport Allowance (BTA).
According to him, the officials gave the affected pilgrims one dollar bill in place of 100 dollar bill, putting their victims into serious financial problem.
“Though, we were able take a disciplinary action on them, not withstanding, the government should also punish them,’’ he said.
Shinkafi urged the state government to set up Hajj Tribunal to handle such related offences.(NAN)
ZI/YAZ