By Matthew Denis
Ahead of the 2019 Hajj, the Kwara State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board has urged the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to ensure that fake agents are weeded out from among members.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Tunde Jimoh gave the charge while receiving the newly inaugurated executives of the state branch of the association in his office in Ilorin, recently.
He said ” I want to assure the association that the welfare board will collaborate with you for smooth operations in the state.
“As part of the five pillars of Islam, our people travel for hajj and umrah yearly to fulfill their religious obligation and considering their love for Islam therefore, paramount attention must be accorded to this exercise.
” We’ll always partner with you where necessary, but you need to do your work to eliminate the issue of fake agents as it’s common all over the country.”
The Executive Secretary tasked the association to have a list of the entire registered and identified members and make a copy available to all stakeholders in the state.
Responding, the state Coordinator of NANTA, Mr. Abiodun James Olawale appreciated the executive secretary for the gesture bestowed on them.
He said, ” We as members of the association will adhere to the guidelines of operations given by the board in line with the International Air Travel Agents (IATA) codes of conduct.”
The coordinator called on air travellers and intending pilgrims not to lose faith in the association as they are well grounded and collaborating with security agencies to eliminate quackery and fraudulent agents among them.
He said, ” We have a new branded identification card with Nigeria Civil Authority (NCAA) authentication and NANTA certification as basic ingredient of recognition by customers and stakeholders.”
