Hajji 2024: NAHCON Tasks FAAN on Upgrade of Facilities at Departure Zones

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has charged the  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) to, as a matter of urgency, put in place necessary facilities  at the country’s Hajj departure zones to ensure  a seamless airlift operation during this year’s Hajj.

A statement issued by the NAHCON,  signed by the Deputy Director of the Information and Publication of the Commission, Mousa Ubandawaki, said that the provision of necessary navigation equipment and facilities at Hajj departure centres across the country would facilitate smooth Hajj airlift operation.

The statement was issued after the courtesy call of the members of FAAN’s Hajj Committee on the acting Chairman of NAHCON, Mallam Jalal Arabi , in his office in Abuja.

The NAHCON chairman urged the committee to be time-conscious as they would  have  limited time to carry  out their assignments, going by the timeline set by Saudi Arabia for all nations to  conclude all Hajj arrangements.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation, who is the Director of Airport Operations, Capt Mukhtar Muye, said that the Authority had commenced preparations for the 2024 Hajj  two months ago.

He assured  that the exercise would  be completed before the commencement of Hajj airlift  in  the 16 departure  Airports across the country.

Muye urged the commission to persuade the  tour operators to comply with  the arrangements of airlifting their pilgrims through the international terminals instead of the Hajj terminal.

He said that it denies the Authority of valuable revenue that they supposed to generate  for the purpose of providing  the necessary infrastructural facilities  at the airports.

 He assured the  commission  of the Authority’s commitment  to discharge   its  duties diligently so that Nigerian pilgrims   can  enjoy a  hitch- free airlift during the 2024  Hajj  operation.