Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has started refunding  123 Saudi Riyals foreign exchange differentials, to each of its pilgrim on Monday.

The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, explained to the pilgrims how the balance came about, in a special announcement after Zuhur or afternoon prayer at their Ibrahim Khalil residence.

According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) had pegged the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance of each pilgrim at N1,143  per dollar.

A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said that Salihu further explained that the total $500 BTA amounted  to N721, 500 per pilgrim.

The Executive Chairman pointed out that the value of naira had appreciated as at the time of the airlift of pilgrims, adding that the local currency exchanged for  N1,350.74 to a dollar.

Malam Salihu further explained that the naira equivalent of $500 BTA then decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim.

The Executive Chairman pointed out that the decrease owing to the forex differentials, amounted to N46, 130 per pilgrim.

According to Malam Salihu, the pilgrims agency subsequently got an exchange rate of ₦375 per Saudi Riyal for the balance.

He explained that the amount translated to 123 Saudi Riyals, which is the amount that will be refunded  to each pilgrim, with an additional balance of ₦5.

The Executive Chairman explained that Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency will start refunding 123 Saudi Riyals to pilgrims after Asir(4pm) prayer, as from Monday, beginning with those who came with the first flight.

He maintained that the remaining ₦5 will be paid to the pilgrims in Nigeria, for those who choose to collect.

Meanwhile, Kaduna pilgrims have praised Malam Salihu S Abubakar-led Special Hajj Committee for its transparency and accountability in the conduct of hajj in particular and the agency in general.