Home NEWS Restore Sanity into Hajj Operations – Hajj, Umra Operators Tell FG

Restore Sanity into Hajj Operations – Hajj, Umra Operators Tell FG

The Association For Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) on Friday appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency set up a powerful and genuine panel to review this year’s Hajj activity from scratch with the aim of restoring sanity into the future operations.

The National President of the Operators, Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi Suleiman, made the plea during a  press briefing, held at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano Secretariat.

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Acccording to him, what happened was really pathetic in the history of Hajj Operation in country, insisting on the need to securely address the gaps to prevent future occurance.

The President similarly demanded National Assembly to equally set-up committee that will look into the consideration the amendment of NAHCON Act 2006 to give opportunity for all stakeholders especially Tour Operators have important role to play in the system.

“We also appeal to those intending pilgrims that suffered avoidable stress and trauma of this event to accept our deep regrets and apologies. May Allah reward them for their good intentions to visit His sacred house. We implore them to bear with our members for the refund of their monies,” he further said.

He however said as a credible body they will ensure their bonafide members do the right things by negotiating suitable terms for the refund of their customers’ money.

“As we speak to you, over 700 international intending Pilgrims who suppose to travel to the Holy land for this year’s pilgrimage were stranded at the airports in Kano, Abuja and Lagos for not securing aircraft to the Holy land.”

“The reason for missing their journey is because of the inability of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) to provide alternative carriers as rescue flight to airlift the Pilgrims,”

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He attributed the unfortunate event  to many unprofessional, subjective and suspicious decisions by the NAHCON.

“Selfish allocation of Hajj slots to Tour Operators which they don’t have to do so. The Saudi Hajj Ministry allotted 9’032 slots for distribution to tour operators in the country in the country but NAHCON went ahead and shared 9’573 slots to 176 tour operators’ portal to be activated after several compromises made by our members.

The Association also lamented the NAHCON failure to release the fees and charges of members payment before they can have their systems activated for visa processing on time.

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