Re: How to ensure hitch-free Hajj in Nigeria

Category: Comments Published on Saturday, 10 July 2010 06:00 Written by Muhammed Ajah Hits: 1754

Hajj administrators in Nigeria led by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), were taken aback by an article published on Saturday May 1, 2010 by Weekly Trust written by one Haruna Muhammed Aminu, from Yobe State with the above caption. It would have not mattered much to write this rejoinder because most of the issues raised and discussed by the writer showed his great level of ignorance of the developments in hajj administration in Nigeria in the last three years.

Although it was a personal opinion advanced by the writer, certain issues raised were misleading and cannot conform todays with the realities in hajj affairs in the country; thus the need to put some facts on record and then correct a few misgivings about the national hajj commission by some members of the public.

When I read the article, I was nearly convinced that it was probably reproduced from the Trust archive. If the writer is sincere to himself and also abreast of hajj affairs even in his own state, he would have written a better article than draw us to issues which have already been tackled. He would have known that the Saudi authorities have never praised Nigeria’s performance in hajj operations as they did especially in the last two operations.

In the said article, the writer asserted without facts, that the NAHCON and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards are yet to achieve success in hajj operations.  The issues raised were on choice of air carriers, contracting supply of materials like luggage, early collection of deposits from intending pilgrims, adherence to contract terms, airlift of pilgrims, setting up of committees, quality of bags, accommodations in the holy land, and the number of days spent by pilgrims during hajj.     

There is no hiding the fact that over sixty percent of hajj operations revolve around airlift of pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Once this part is tackled, the other areas would pose little or no threat to the entire operations. Again, it was clear that the failure in the airlift of pilgrims characterized hajj operations in the past years, thus the failure of hajj exercises. This is no more the case. The choice of air carriers in the last three years has been through open bidding after NAHCON had placed advertisements. This is followed by a thorough screening exercise conducted by a committee of highly placed Nigerians who have experiences in the relevant fields including the aviation sector. It is true that politics had been the bane in the choice of dependable and responsible contractors in the past, but with NAHCON, things have changed.

On the luggage issue, due process is effectively followed. In short, those who work in the NAHCON call the chairman, Mr. Due Process. The suppliers are chosen after screening and the design, quality and other characteristics attached to the bags are spelt out in the binding contractual agreements. The big bags (40kg) which are differentiated by colours according to airlift zones are given to pilgrims in their residences in Makkah while the hand bags (10kg) are given to them in Nigeria. Despite the campaigns against excess luggage and unnecessary spending of pilgrims’ BTA on trivial purchases, pilgrims still fill the 40 kg bags and buy additional bags as excess luggage. NAHCON, on its part, has been consistent in the enforcement of its luggage policy and there is always a high powered committee to that effect every year. So, of recent, no case of missing luggages have been reported by any pilgrim. It is also worth noting that plans have been concluded to standardise the quality and size of the suitcases for all pilgrims for uniformity.   

On the collection of deposits from intending pilgrims, this is done at the state and local levels. NAHCON’s involvement is to collect payments from the states and pay same to service providers. So, the early collection of payments from intending pilgrims is undoubtedly part of the prerequisites for early conclusion of arrangements for each hajj exercise because service providers must be paid early enough so that they properly prepare for better services to our pilgrims. it is a fact that in some states, pilgrims queue to pay because of the limited slots Nigeria is given which is far beyond the demands. In this regard, NAHCON has intensified efforts and has made requests to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj for an increase in the number of pilgrims’ slots.      The only problem which has been of great concern is the number of days spent by our pilgrims during hajj. Last year, some pilgrims spent over thirty five days. NAHCON is seriously tackling this aspect and it is expected that in 2010, according to agreements with the Saudi authorities in regard to home-bound flights which are responsible for the long stay, the days would be reduced to below 35 days.

 However, the NAHCON and the state administrators as well as few concerned agencies have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and focus in this regard. Before the Commission was established, hajj administration and operationS were a nightmare. But today, as confirmed by many national and international groups and individuals, including His Eminence, the Sultan, sustaining hitch-free hajj for the country is now possible with NAHCON. Therefore, a Commission which has attained such for the nation should, in no small way, be encouraged and the leadership given more time to consolidate on the successes.   

Muhammad Ajah is the Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Planning, Information and Library, NAHCON.