By Ibrahim Muhammad
The airlift of Nigerian Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2014 Hajj exercise has been fixed for October 6, by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The decision was made known by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, in his capacity as the Permanent National Amirul Hajj during the Hajj stakeholders meeting of August 23, in Abuja. Many issues pertaining to this year’s hajj were discussed with emphasis on Ebola Virus, commencement of issuance of visa, pilgrims’ accommodation, progress made in terms of streamline of hajj airlifts, the readiness of air carriers, and other challenges.
With the commencement of issuance of visa by Saudi Embassy, the next leg of operation is airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims airlift is the most significant operation that defines the success or otherwise of hajj exercise.
Approximately, Max, Medview, Kabo, Sky power and Flynas Air are to airlift a total number of 65,115 pilgrims within 22 days. Max is to convey 40,486 passengers, follow by Flynas with 9,500 pilgrims. Kabo has 8,326 numbers of pilgrims, Medview got 5,303 passengers and Sky power with 1,500 pilgrims. 50% of Nigerian pilgrims are expected to be flown to Medina directly – a significant achievement by NAHCON.
However, airlift of pilgrims is not all about availability of Boeing 747 alone as other factors like ability to adhere with airlift schedules and conveyance of pilgrims with their luggage are also important. The role of state pilgrims’ welfare boards is very crucial. Invite, screen and move pilgrims to airport on schedule rest with the state pilgrims’ welfare boards. Failure on their part will have a negative effect on the operation of the air carriers. All over the world, aviation activities are time regulated with air carriers paying for virtually every nano second late behind their agreed time of takeoff, landing or parking.
In 2013, for example, Max Air, Medview, Kabo and Meridian Air evacuated a total number 6,436 pilgrims in 131 flights within 27 days. This year Arafat day will likely fall within October 3-4. Saudi Arabia usually closes King Abdul-Aziz International Airport five or four days to Arafat which may be September 27 or 28. If airlift of Nigerian pilgrims eventually commences on October 6, that means we have 22 or 23 days to evacuate over 66,000 pilgrims against last year’s record of 27 days. The first batch of South African pilgrims arrived Saudi Arabia on August 25, with more countries now in the Kingdom. This arithmetic indicates that we are already in injury time.
However, our lukewarm attitude towards sticking to time may pose serious challenges. This issue was highlighted by NAHCON Commissioner in charge of Operation, Barrister Abdullahi Mukthar MON, when he cautioned pilgrims on the need to be time-conscious. In 2013 Hajj operation, I served as a member of inspectorate, evaluation and compliance committee, whose responsibilities is to inspect, evaluate all hajj service providers and enforce compliance where necessary. I had an experience that made me to question the capacity of some state pilgrims’ welfare board bosses. Before I proceed to the state in question, I made contact with the NAHCON Zonal Coordinator to inquire the arrival of the next flight. He gave me all the information. On my arrival at the state, I meet with the state pilgrims’ board boss to know when he will deploy his pilgrims to the airport. To my surprise, he told me that he did not know when the next flight would arrive – an indication that he did not contact NAHCON Zonal Coordinator. The flight later arrived and spent 8 hours at the airport with no pilgrims to ferry. The state was made to pay for a ‘no show’ penalty by NAHCON.
Interestingly, item 4.4 of NAHCON airlift agreement with air carriers gave states pilgrims’ boards power to certify an air carrier’s performance satisfactorily or not. It stated “The Board or Agency shall issue the PSR within a maximum of 60 days of completion of the Hajj operation. Failure by the Board or Agency to issue the PSR within the prescribed period will amount to a presumption the Board/Agency was satisfied with the Carrier’s services and the Commission shall without further recourse to the Board/Agency Proceed to pay the Carrier as provided herein;” it is of my opinion that the above clause be modified to give NAHCON Inspectorate and Evaluation Department the power to issue the Performance Status Report which will includes the performance of states pilgrims’ boards itself.
Therefore, if NAHCON is to evacuate all Nigerian pilgrims before the deadline, state pilgrims’ boards, air carriers, security agencies that are in charge of screening pilgrims and NAHCON command and control centres must work as a clock. All hands must be on deck and the eyes on the ticking time of deadline. NAHCON should not leave states pilgrims’ boards to operate as they wish – rather they should be forced to adhere and comply with schedules. This can be achieved by deploying NAHCON staff to be part and parcel of state pilgrims dispatch committee. We are already in injury time and we cannot afford to leave any Nigerian pilgrim behind.
Muhammad is National Coordinator Independent Hajj Reporters, Kaduna