30,000 Nigerian Pilgrims Airlifted to Saudi Arabia for Hajj

 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said about 30,000 pilgrims had been airlifted into Madinah, Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj after 12 days of flight operation.

Assistant Director Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara disclosed this yesterday in a statement.

She also said the commission intended to conclude the airlifting exercise in line with the 25-day airlift plan before closure of Jeddah airport on June 22.

She added that as part of NAHCON’s desire to  provide the best services for its pilgrims at all times, an advance party was dispatched to Saudi Arabia to ensure accommodation and catering services were top notch before arrival of the pilgrims.

“Before then, the commission had screened and selected capable hands in catering services to feed Nigerian pilgrims while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and secured sufficiently standard accommodations for them. In addition, the Commission put in place such mechanisms for checks and balances that would ensure service providers render the services they were paid for duly without shortchanging the Nigerian pilgrims,” she said.

She listed some of the stated terms and conditions of engagements to include signing of agreements to that respect and advance payment for the services; followed by constant monitoring and supervision by NAHCON staff; plus a complaint portal and open door to receive such complaints where any oversight might have occurred.

NAHCON enjoined pilgrims with complaint over poor services to lodge same through the complaint portal or contact NAHCON’s Madinah and Makkah coordinators with their grievances.

Meanwhile NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has commended Nigerian pilgrims for their cooperation during airlift schedules.

He also lauded the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions for their promptness in responding to departure arrangements with minimal delays.