The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACON) Thursday admitted that the 2022 has been turbulent in Nigeria and across the world.
The position was made known in an article by the NAHCON’s Assistant Director in charge of public affairs, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, a copy of which was made available to Blueprint.
“This year’s Hajj has been a turbulent one for the Hajj industry in Nigeria, though the situation is not distinctly noticeable in Nigeyria alone. Other countries are battling with their own portion of hiccups as well. Little wonder why GACA extended its airspace to other countries after acceding to Nigeria’s request.
“Some of the most serious reasons responsible for the country’s challenges revolve around aviation inconsistencies, failure to follow flight itinerary that led to 25 flight cancellations, slow visa processing due to insufficiency of funds in some Tour Operators’ wallet to enable spontaneous visa processing, and some noticeable anomalies in selecting eligible pilgrims to perform the Hajj thereby slowing down the process. At times also, poor server issues forced suspension of visa issuance.
“Indeed, at the time of signing of airlift agreement for the 2022 Hajj, all air carriers were charged with the responsibility of providing two big capacity aircraft for the airlift. This they promised. Despite that their entitlements were paid in line with signed agreement, only one of the carriers fulfilled this clause by the end of the regular operations period. This also affected the airlift operations.
“Besides, an agreement was entered with one of the airlines to provide aircraft that would transport Licensed Tour Operators’ pilgrims for the Hajj, this never materialized,” it said.
To address the aforementioned anomalies, Usara said, “NAHCON invited them over and over again to comply, unfortunately two provided small capacity aircraft instead.
“For the umpteenth time, NAHCON has explained reason for the visa delays for Private Tour Operators and the leadership of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operations in Nigeria is conversant with the steps taken to resolve the deadlock. Still, so many allegations are flying around, though the Commission has explained the issues in clear terms in the past.
“The newest is an allegation that seems to insinuate that NAHCON collected additional monies from stranded pilgrims of Licensed Tour Operators. In unambiguous terms, NAHCON does not collect Hajj fare from any pilgrim, whether from the private or public quota. It has never been the Commission’s tradition nor will it start now. Whoever has claims of being financially shortchanged can forward their grievances to the appropriate offices for investigation.
“As stated before now, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, did not abandon pilgrims and would never do so, but had to be in Saudi Arabia for issues relating to their wellbeing.
“The Commission is well aware of the unfounded allegations being spewed from various corners but is determined not to be distracted from the immediate crisis in its hands. Even now with the extension of deadline, the Commission has to contend with unfulfilled promises and agreements entered with certain stakeholders.
“Let it be stated again that NAHCON is a regulatory body with the interest of the pilgrims as its priority. Therefore, the Commission under the leadership of Zikrullah Kunle Hassan will address issues raised at the right time. In order words, when it is done serving the guests of the Almighty whom the Almighty chose to answer His call.
“Airlift of pilgrims has continued till the end of deadline approved by GACA. So far, over 40,000 out of 43,000 pilgrims have been airlifted into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, these include Tour operators.”
650 Kano pilgrims, officials ‘stranded’
Meanwhile, ahead of the deadline given by the Saudi-Arabian authorities on the 2022 airlift of Nigerian pilgrims, about 650 intending pilgrims from Kano including officials of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board are currently stranded following the failure of the carrier handling the airlift to live up to expectation.
Shedding more light on the latest development regarding the airlift, the Executive Secretary of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mohammed Abba Dambatta said all arrangements put in the place for a hitch-free exercise did not work out.
He said officials of the Board were asked to walk out of the plane on ground while about 650 intending pilgrims were left wailing, screaming and crying not knowing where they were headed, particularly with the deadline fast approaching.
He said: “I can be bold to inform the public that we are undoubtedly vindicated on our earlier loss of confidence in the capacity and ability of the Azman Air to lift up to expectation. We have voiced our objection on engaging carrier with the National Hajj Commission becoming reticent. How can an aircraft with the capacity of accommodating 100 passengers be expected to perform wonders?”
“We find it incredible to believe that the air carrier means business. We have tried our best to engage the services of Max Air to come to our rescue, and we received no concrete commitment from their own side. This is a reservation we have earlier expressed to the Hajj Commission in addition to the letters written to them for five consecutive times. We have not gotten any positive response on our request for the Commission to shift ground.”
As at the time of filing in this report, the stranded pilgrims were yet to know the fate that would befall them as the King Abdul-aziz International Airport in Jeddah is expected to close their terminals mid night Thursday.