The Federal Government has pegged the exchange rate for both Christian and Muslim Pilgrims for this year pilgrimage to the holy lands of Israel and Saudi Arabia to $1 to #150 as against the official rate of about #165.
President Goodluck Jonathan has also approved 30,000 Christian Pilgrims for this years pilgrimage to Israel. Niger State is allotted with 700 slots.
Analysts are angry that there are millions of Christians and Muslims, but government will not waive exchange rates to bring in goods that will bring succour to the poor masses, but will rather pampers a few thousands who will travel in the name of religion to bring in goods that will add little or no value to the economy or the generality of the people.
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) John Kennedy Okpara disclosed this in Minna yesterday when he paid the governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu a visit in Government House.
He told his host that since 2012 federal government had been intervening in the exchange rate to enable Nigerians performed their spiritual obligations to their creator.
Okpara said that last year the exchange rate was pegged at #145 when the official rate was #155 to a dollar.