The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) has denied the claim by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that the international pilgrims benefited from the N90 billion intervention by the federal government during this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca.
Reacting to the Commission’s World Press Conference, the Association in a statement, signed by its national president, Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo, and national secretary, Muhammad Nasil Chamo, described as “misleading” the posture by the Commission that all went well during the Hajj exercise.
The statement read in part, “Firstly, we would like Nigerians to know that none of the international pilgrims received a dime out of the N90 billion, graciously approved and released as subsidy to ease the burden of the high exchange rate, despite many promises by the Commission that our Pilgrims will be considered in any concession that is received from the government.
“For the past eight years (with exception of the post Covid-19 Hajj),the Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia allocates 20,000 slots for the Nigerian private Tour Operators (International) which AHOUN represents and 75,000 to the conventional Pilgrims.
“This year about 14,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj exercise through the international segment. But we repeat, none of our members benefited from the N90 billion as NAHCON claimed to have distributed to Nigerians Pilgrims despite our demands.”
“Another misleading information that directly affected our members was the unfortunate and avoidable incident at the Tent ‘A’ (VIP Tent) Muna, where Nigerian dignitaries were subjected to myriads of harassments and disgrace.
“The Commission tried to exonerate itself from wrongdoing on the incidence and our members were painted as the culprits as they always wanted Nigerians to view Tour Operators as those responsible for their failures.
“None of our members or Association participated in the negotiation or delivery of these important services. This is despite the fact that we had an alternative service provider, which was supported by 85% of our members.
“This year, it was on record that 27 companies purchased Tent ‘A’ service on behalf of 616 pilgrims only, on the Hajj e-track portal. However, NAHCON through their accomplices at the service provider’s office created additional off-the-record tents outside the e-tract system that were purchased and paid for in cash, a day to the beginning of Hajj rites.”
