The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria says its immediate goal is to reduce the cost of travels to Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim Pilgrimage, this is as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the rising exchange rate.

Galaxy’s Godfrey Eshiemoghie reports that this was the position of the Chairman of the Commission, Zikrullah Hassan, during the budget defense session of the Senate Committee on Federal Character.

The Hajj Commission Chairman said the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the economy and other considerations informs the decision to seek ways to make the pilgrimage more affordable.

Speaking later to newsmen, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Lawal Gumau said a move is ongoing to ensure some form of intervention to agencies of government to keep them afloat.

Among the agencies present for the budget defense session for Monday is the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies [NIPSS], Kuru, Jos, among others.