Many Nigerians have expressed disappointment at the Senate for passing a resolution urging the Federal Government to approve a concession of N200 to 1$ for intending Christian and Muslim pilgrims.
The Senate made the resolution on Thursday, following a report presented by its committee on foreign affairs.
Monsurat Sunmonu, who read the report, said: “The government should as matter of urgency extend concession on the Naira-Dollar exchange to NAHCON (National Hajj Commission of Nigeria) and NCPC (Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission), 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.”
However, no sooner had the news broken than Nigerians began expressing resentment for such a policy, which many say will further weaken the Naira.
The exchange rate current stands at N315 to a dollar at the official market and about N365 at the parallel market.
Here are a few reactions on Twitter:
Federal Republic of Jesters & Clowns! Sell $ N200 to pilgrims while creators & innovators wail to access it at N350. Madness. Pure madness! https://t.co/9AtoQ58jOV
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) July 20, 2017
Here is another reason why PROGRESS is eluding Nigeria. Subsidize Pilgrims in a Country that is meant to be secular. Industries need subsidy https://t.co/Qv3NjUUkM1
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) July 20, 2017
They will not make dollar available to SMEs at N200, or for students for fees but for Pilgrimage that doesn’t add to the economy. Priorities https://t.co/QVtEy0QZw1
— “slay queen” (@duchesskk) July 21, 2017
In @APCNigeria dollar hike is for the businessmen but not for the pilgrimage. How do you want our economy to grow with this method #Nigeria
— Martins Osynachi (@osynachi_1) July 21, 2017
Senate ask Fed Govt to make Dollar available for Pilgrimage at N200.I was deluded to think wat I saw with PDP won’t happen in a CHANGE GOVT
— SJohnson (@sheeun11) July 21, 2017
Why is the exchange rate for pilgrimage special? N200 to a dollar??? How is anyone’s pilgrimage the govt’s responsibility? Nigeria??!!!
— Faith Dafe Joseph (@FabReke) July 21, 2017
I can’t believe this, senate demanding dollar be sold at N200 for pilgrimage. How did we get here? @APCNigeria @OfficialPDPNig @channelstv
— BETHEL EWEAMA (@BethelEweama) July 21, 2017
It’s appalling that the Senate is compelling the CBN to exchange dollar at the rate of 200naira for pilgrims. Pilgrimage is a luxury!
— Udenze Daniel (@Cosmic193) July 21, 2017
“Senate asks Nigerian govt to make dollar available to pilgrims at N200.” NEWS
Absolute rubbish! Pilgrimage is for those who can afford it
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) July 20, 2017
@Gidi_Traffic This Nigerian Senate is a joke how can you clueless people subsidies dollar for pilgrimage while forex is not accessible ahh
— Breezy ben (@OluwaBernard) July 21, 2017
I wonder the kind of people we elect in this country,instead of making dollar available at #200 for importers they are talking pilgrimage.
— Olufunmi Okeowo (@OkeowoOlufunmi) July 20, 2017