Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday told the 4,000 pilgrims from the state that he would refund the money used to buy Ihraam by each pilgrim and provide free food for all of them on Arafat Day.

The Amirul Hajj of the state Alhaji Babatunde Balogun who spoke on behalf of the governor said Fashola had given the go ahead to refund the 92 Riyals (N4,000) for the Ihraam.

The Amirul-Hajj who is the state's Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture added that the state Pilgrims Welfare Board had decided to provide buses to convey pilgrims from their houses to the Mosque.

He admitted that there were hitches in the areas of accommodation, exchanging their Traveller's Cheque and others, but added that the shortcomings would be taken care of. He complained that the pilgrims board was not happy with some of the operations and preparations of NACHON as regards airlifting from Nigeria and hoped that the situation would improve.