Blame States Not NAHCON For Hitches In Holy Pilgrimage – CSO

By Ayodele Oni

A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has advised that intending Pilgrims in Nigeria should be allowed to pay fees directly to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

It  faulted the call by the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, for the scrapping of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

In a statement on Monday,  signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) described Bago’s call as a very wrong move.

IHR said that while it supports an advocacy for improved services for the pilgrims, it however stresses the calls for the decentralisation of NAHCON and devolving powers to the states would be a very wrong move.

It explained that there were allegations that most of the delays experienced every year, that affects the smooth operations of the Hajj, including that of 2024, was as a result of the failure of some state boards to remit collected fares to NAHCON in time.

According to the body, some governors used the monies for other purposes and are being awaited to make refunds.

Towards this end, IHR called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act, to ensure a cohesive and effective hajj operating system in the country.

It was reported that Governor Bago’s outburst stemmed from the inadequate space given to Tent ‘A’ pilgrims from Nigeria, which included some state governors who came for the pilgrimage as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

While the services rendered to the personalities were from private tour operators, the governor described the 2024 hajj as a failure.

It further said; “By virtue of diplomatic protocol, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj only relates with National Hajj missions not regional bodies.

“Decentralisation as being touted will allow 36 states’ pilgrim’s welfare boards and agencies to send 36 different delegations to Saudi Arabia, the first in the History of Hajj operation, to liaise with Saudi Arabia on Hajj plans.

“36 states will also sign different hajj memorandum of understanding with one country.”

Commenting on service delivery, IHR noted that NAHCON controls Airlines and accommodation in Madina, adding that in the last few years, Nigerian pilgrims have been housed in a 4-star hotel within the vicinity or five minutes’ walk close to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina.

“On the other hand, States are responsible for choosing their accommodation in Makkah.

“This year for example, our team currently in Saudi Arabia observes that Niger state pilgrim’s accommodation is located in an isolated area, far away from the holy Mosque, this invariably denied quite a number of the pilgrims the opportunity to observe their obligatory prayers at the Haram.

“Also, registration of pilgrims starts from the local governments after which the funds are transferred to state pilgrims’ boards before being transferred to NAHCON.

“There are allegations that most of the delays experienced every single year, that affects the smooth operations of the Hajj,  including this year is as a result of the failure of some state boards to remit their collected fares to NAHCON in time because governors have used the monies for other purposes and are being awaited to make refunds.

“We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to make it possible for pilgrims to pay their deposits directly to NAHCON so that the commission can in turn meet its obligations in time and avoid a situation where the entire operation will be put in jeopardy.

“This, we believe, is also the best way to truly hold the commission to account in case of any service failure.”