Nigeria may now regain its traditional 95,000 slots being enjoyed before the unfortunate advent of the COVID-19 pandemic which drastically reduce the country’s allocation to about 45,000 slots during the 2022 exercise. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved the pre-covid allocation to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Director General in charge of Hajj Missions at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, Bahauddeen bin Yusuf Alwani disclosed the exciting news at a preparatory meeting for Hajj Season 1444AH via a video conference with the Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zukrullah Kunle Hassan on Wednesday. A release signed by Assistant Director, Information and Media, NAHCON, Mousa Ubandawakib hinted that Saudi authorities at the online conference also granted Nigeria the Right of choice of package for pilgrims services from the Mutawwiffs of African Non-Arab countries, the company responsible for the Tent, Feeding and Transportation arrangements at the Mashair.
In the statement, the Kingdom has subsequently granted the privilege that henceforth payment to service providers for pilgrims services must be through the e-track or e-wallet platforms as the Kingdom will not take responsibility for payment outside the two platforms. The Ministry also announced that accommodation agreements are to be concluded by the 10th of February (Shaaban) and others by the 24th of January (Rajab). ” The discussion included that information on the choice of airliners approved by the Commission for the airlift operations and their allocation must be submitted early enough to fast-track the Hajj 2023 preparation.
“” The discussion included that information on the choice of airliners approved by the Commission for the airlift operations and their allocation must be submitted early enough to fast-track the Hajj 2023 preparation. Other highlights are that NAHCON must submit information of pilgrims 72 hours prior to their departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enable adequate arrangement for their services”.
Earlier the DG had expressed regret over the Ministry’s inability to grant NAHCON’s request during the 2022 Hajj for an additional 5,000 allocations and airlift slot. In his response, the Chairman/CEO, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the early preparation and restoring the country’s Hajj allocation. He said that it was heartwarming that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Hajj has restored the hope and confidence of many prospective Nigerian pilgrims that desired to perform the Hajj this year. He also thanked the Ministry for its consistent support and cooperation in serving the guest of Allah. The Chairman however appealed to the Ministry to allow the commission to handle the feeding management during the Mashair activities, so that they can serve the Nigerian pilgrims better than what was obtained during the 2022 Hajj by the Mutawwiffs. Only yesterday, the Kingdom granted a refund of over N107 million for poor feeding services to Nigerian pilgrims at the Mashair held by the Mutawwiffs during the 2022 Hajj.
