LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday launched a contributory scheme for Hajj and Jerusalem pilgrimage.
The scheme, Ambode said, was to make everyone participate in the holy pilgrimage irrespective of the financial status and class.
Speaking after the launch of the scheme tagged Pay Small Small, Ambode said petty traders and other low income earners can now fulfil their religious obligations in a more convenient way.
The Governor, who described the scheme as one of his administration’s strategies to create an enabling environment for Lagosians, promised that more things are underway to make life better for the citizens irrespective of tribe, religion and other differences.
He said that the scheme would put an end to unnecessary artificial scarcity of forms and other fraudulent activities.
Represented by Home Affairs Commissioner Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, Ambode said: “It is a contributory scheme for all pilgrimages. Whether it for Jerusalem or Mecca. The police is meant to carry along even the less privileged in the society to ensure that even with N50,000, you can begin to pay for your pilgrimage to Mecca, Medina, Rome and Jerusalem.
“We have partnered with a micro finance firm that will allow people to choose either three or two years payment depending on the ability of such person. In fact, there is a package of N1,500 daily contribution scheme for the pilgrimage. The government wants to ensure that people are carried along and they are able to discharge their religious duties without stress. So, to the ordinary trader, it is avenue to fulfil their obligations. One way of alleviating poverty is to carried the people along and assure them of place in the heart of government.”
AbdulLateef later told newsmen that the forms would be made available in the five divisions of the state and to religious leaders.
He said that the governor had been proactive as he gave the ministry and its staff an avenue to open new frontiers.
Medview Airline Managing Director Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who was honoured at the event, hailed the government for the initiative.
Bankole said: “For the government to think of this scheme, it must have considered the plight of the downtrodden. They struggle to partake in the pilgrimage yearly; some of them contribute to fulfil the religious obligations. For government to have designed a safe window to keep their money from their small scale businesses, it will afford them the opportunities to actualise their dreams.”