2024 Hajj: No pilgrim benefited from $90bn subsidy—Muslim group dares NAHCON,

...Calls on NASS to beam more searchlight on Commission
…Says cosmetic “World Press Conference” unacceptable

By Chris Ochayi

The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, AHUON, has insisted that none of its members benefited from the N90 billion approved and released as subsidy by the Federal Government for 2024 Hajj operations

AHUON, stated this while disputing claims by the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that it distributed the money to Nigerians Pilgrims Board.

The group, therefore called on the leadership of the National Assembly as part of their their oversight functions, to investigate on these and other issues relating to the management of Hajj in Nigeria.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, recently invited the management of NAHCON to appear before the Commission to clear the air on controversy surrounding the disbursement of the $90 billion subsidy to Nigerian pilgrims.

The group in a statement issued Saturday in Abuja by Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo National President Muhammad Nasir Chamo General Secretary, respectively, disclosed further that none of the international Pilgrims received a dime out of the N90 Billion, graciously approved and released as subsidy by the Federal Government.

The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to some of the major highlights from the recently organized ‘World Press conference’ by the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

“Under normal circumstances, such forum should have been an important avenue for all stakeholders in the Hajj and Umrah management to air their views, raised questions and proffers solutions on the perennial failure of the Commission to conduct and manage a hitch free and delightful Hajj operation.

“However, NAHCON used the occasion to blow its trumpet and presented
misleading statistics as if everything went well without any problem in the just concluded Hajj 2024.

“As a responsible Association and a critical stakeholder in the Hajj and Umrah management in Nigeria, we feel obliged to inform Nigerians of our
experiences and true position particularly on some of those issues that affected our members.

“For the records, we have never doubted or challenge the statutory right of NAHCON as the regulator and umpire in affairs of Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria.

“However, when an umpire decided to become an active player in any game, conflict of interest wil set in and everything to do with fairness, rectitude and transparency comes to question.

“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 8 years, (with exception of the post COVID-19, Haji), the Ministry of Haj 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 Haj 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 Board despite our demands.

“Are the International Pilgrims not Nigerians? We’re determine to continue to ask for the share of these funds from the federal government for our Nigerian (Hujjaj) Pilgrims.

“Another misleading information that directly affected our members was the unfortunate and avoidable incidence 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. The NAHCON narrative was a self-serving propaganda.

“The Commission single handedly selected and
appointed all the service providers for the 2024 Haj, which include Pilgrim’s
accommodation providers, feeding, tents and transportation services among
others. 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, but NAHCON insisted on 100% membership support before it can consent to any change of service provider, this is an impossible demand in any human Association of diverse background.

“As regard the Tent ‘A’ debacle, under normal
practice, our members are responsible for the purchase of the VIP tent on behalf of pilgrims through the Hajj E-track.

“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 of- the-record tents outside the E-tract system that were purchased and paid for in cash, a day to the beginning of Hajj rites.

“The Commission should tell Nigerians how many Pilgrims participated in the Tent ‘A’ services and from where those large numbers of pilgrims got their visas from, access permit to the VIP camps. It is, therefore, an unfounded allegation to blackmail our members as the culprit on this issue.

“We dare to ask the Commission that collects $100 service charge on each of our pilgrim (total about $1,400,000.00) amounting to over N2 billion and wil not laisse with the service provider to ensure that service paid for is delivered fully to our Nigerian pilgrims.

“We also challenge NAHCON to name those Tour Operators they claimed were involved in Tent ‘A’ racketeering.

“AHOUN will not continue to stand and watch the organization that is supposed to promote transparency, good ethics and discipline ni the management of Haj in the country conniving to deprive the unsuspecting Pilgrims of their right to efficient and stress-free Hajj every year.

“We can’t continue to watch our huge and legitimate investments being rubbished and made scapegoats every year by an organization that by law should support our members to deliver the right services to Nigerian Pilgrims.

“We therefore call upon the leadership of the National Assembly as part of their their oversight functions, to investigate further, beyond the cosmetic “World Press Conference” on these and other issues relating to the management of Hajj in Nigeria.

“We would like to also call on the NAHCON leadership to look inward and stop looking away and blaming our members for their perpetual failures to deliver smooth and hitch-free Hajj for the Nigerians Pilgrims, year in year out. A” stich ni time saves Nine”