October 8, 2015/Proshare

1.       The Federal Government has approved the purchase a maximum of US$1,000.00 at a concessionary exchange rate of N160.00 to the US dollar by each intending pilgrim or PTA.  Consequently, each pilgrim travelling to Israel is entitled to maximum of $750.00, while those going to Israel/Rome or Greece are entitled to maximum of $1,000.00.

2.      No pilgrim should deny the travel allowance on the ground that he/she has no Tax Clearance Certificate. In the view of the time constraint associated with the pilgrimage exercise, the Chairman or the Secretory of each state Pilgrims’ Board, after due identification, may be allowed to sign for and collect the PTA on the behalf of the intending pilgrim in his/her State on presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the State.

3.      In accordance with the Israel and Italian Governments’ Policies, visa shall only be issued to the pilgrims at the point of entry, that is, at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel and Fumichino Airport, Rome, Italy, on arrival.

It should also be noted that the pilgrimage will be by chartered flights.

4.      Air tickets and visa requirements for the purpose of procuring the stipulated PTA have been waived. However an endorsed copy of each pilgrim’s passport should be retained by bank for record purposes.