Following the rising exchange rate that is likely to raise the 2017 hajj fares, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that it was working to cut fares for this year’s Hajj Pilgrimage to the barest minimum.

Chairman of the commission Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed said this on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

He said the 2016 Hajj exercise was the best and that the commission is poised to even make the coming 2017 better.

“We are optimistic that we are going to make the 95,000 pilgrims quota. We have developed strategies to minimize costs including dealing with the landlords directly instead of through the agents. So we are sure of reducing costs through the accommodation this year. This will also save the country and the government reduces the exportation of foreign exchange which is scarce now,” Muhammad said.

He added that the commission will also explore other avenues on reducing cost by ensuring that pilgrims are only charge based on the value of accommodation and other services rendered to pilgrims.

On his part the Executive Secretary of the NCPC Reverend Uja Tor Uja said Nigeria has been investing in the pilgrimage project and therefore deserves positive returns from pilgrimage, pilgrims and pilgrimage operators.

“While we serve internationally by leading and returning our pilgrims safely to Nigeria, we have a greater need of promoting dialogue, healing, healthy relationship and peace among our people,” Uja said.

He suggested a national five-day Christian-Muslim Leadership Conference this year that should involve all the major leaders and stakeholders of the two faiths in the country.

He said the conference should be televised live and should openly confront all issues frankly but truthfully, with the goal of reaching workable conclusions that would ensure lasting peace in the country.