By Matthew Denis
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has reiterated its
commitment to smooth operations in this year’s holy pilgrimage, which
commences July.
Acting Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad gave the
assurance at the National Mosque in Abuja during the stakeholders’
meeting and presentation of awards to stakeholders who performed
credibly during the 2018 hajj operation yesterday.To achieve this, he
said the 2019 Hajj operations will be driven by Information
Communications Technology, ICT, especially for effective monitoring
and to ensure that pilgrims get value for their money.
According to him, the innovation will also ensure that pilgrims who
genuinely pay hajj fare through their respective Muslim Pilgrims
Welfare Boards, or other hajj licensed operation agencies were not
denied the opportunity to perform hajj.
Speaking further, Muhammad said, “This also calls for concern and more
vigilance on the part of the states, to monitor the activities of ICT
and visa officers”, the NAHCON boss added.
He further explained that the innovation would ensure that private air
operators effectively monitor their staff to ensure that pilgrims were
not short changed in anyway.
Muhammad, however, urged the intending pilgrims to exercise caution
and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the conduct
of 2019 hajj while in the holy land to avoid getting into trouble with
Saudi authorities.
He also appealed to state governors and their Amirul Hajj to adhere to
their advisory role during the hajj operations while cautioning hajj
reporters to restrict themselves to the reportage of the pilgrimage.
According to him, the role of Amirul Hajj has nothing to do with the
day-to-day management of the hajj and operational arrangements already
put in place by NAHCON.
Muhammad commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate and the
House of Representatives as well as the stakeholders for their
tremendous supports for the success of the hajj operations.
