The Delta Government has announced a N10 million fine for sponsors and guarantors of pilgrims in the state whose candidates abscond during pilgrimage.
The state Commissioner for the Bureau for Special Duties, Ernest Ogwezzy, said this on Wednesday in Asaba while addressing journalists after a one-day orientation workshop for the 2018 intending pilgrims to the Holy land.
According to Ogwezzy such measures had become necessary following “ugly experiences where some individuals under the guise of embarking on holy exercise end up absconding.
“The experience is gradually worsening the already battered image of the country abroad.’’
He stressed that the N10 million fine was part of the stringent measures adopted by the state government to check prevent people from running away during pilgrimages.
Ogwezzy also said that greater percentage of those who absconded in the state in the previous years were not indigenes of the state, “but are part of the contingent of the state.’’
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Meanwhile, the commissioner advised those who were successful during the screening for the next pilgrimage to avoid any occurrence that was capable of tarnishing the image of the state and country, urging them to uphold the sanctity of their Christian faith by remaining good ambassadors of the state and country at large.
He also urged them to use the opportunity to review their spiritual lives as well as pray for the peace and unity of the state and country.
While congratulating the successful ones, the commissioner assured them that the state government would continue to prioritise the sponsorship of pilgrimages in the state irrespective of the prevailing economic crunch.
