Since CBN sells dollar to businesses at N200, Pilgrims deserve same, Saraki offers

Although it pegged the exchange rate at N305 to $1, the Senate, on Thursday instructed the Federal Government to peg the exchange rate to Nigerians embarking on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia or Israel at N200 to a dollar.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki stated that this should be the case since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is reported to also be selling the dollar at N200 to some businesses.
The Senate’s position, followed Thursday’s adoption of the report on Extortion of Pilgrims By National Hajj Commission, presented by its committee on Foreign Affairs headed by Monsurat Sunmonu.

“The Government should as a matter of urgency extend concession on the Naira – Dollar exchange to NAHCON and NCPC, once in every year, for the pilgrimages to the two Holy Lands.‎ Therefore, the committee strongly recommends the concession of N200 to $1 for 2017 Hajj to bring down cost to the bearable level,” part of the report reads.

Read also: CBN heads Etisalat board in new arrangement

While contributing, Adamu Aliero, argued that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had been offering dollar at N200 to some unnamed businesses.

“You said CBN has been giving some businesses dollar at N200?” asked Saraki, calling Mr. Aliero to restate his claim. If some businesses are getting that concession, pilgrims also deserve it,” President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki who presided, said.

‎The Senate also mandated the Federal Government to engage at highest level discussions with Saudi Arabia to review the 50 – 50 carriage of pilgrims between Nigerian and Saudi Arabian airlines.

“This is with a view to providing opportunities for more indigenous Nigerian airlines to participate in Hajj operations,” the recommendations read by Sunmonu, revealed.
Ehisuan Odia….

 

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