By Suwaiba Ahmad
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has held a crucial meeting with Private Tour Operators at the Nigeria Hajj Affairs Office in Ummul Jud, Makkah. The discussions focused on refining preparations for the 2025 Hajj and addressing key operational concerns.
NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, welcomed the tour operators, expressing appreciation for their cooperation. He emphasized the urgency of finalizing arrangements, urging stakeholders to raise concerns for a collective resolution. Addressing accommodation in Mina, he revealed that NAHCON had secured 1,000 bed spaces in Tent A and was awaiting further details on Tent A Plus from Saudi authorities. He encouraged operators to indicate their interest in the available allocation, stressing the importance of collaboration for a seamless Hajj exercise.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate, Compliance, and Licensing, Prince Anofiu Elegusi, underscored the significance of the engagement. He described the presence of tour operators as a testament to their commitment and urged them to actively contribute ideas to enhance the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
During the interactive session, tour operators raised concerns about access to Tent A service providers, seeking a meeting to reach a mutual agreement and prevent a recurrence of past challenges. In response, NAHCON assured them of an imminent inspection and dialogue with the service providers.
Another pressing issue highlighted was the difficulty in processing payments on the e-track system. NAHCON pledged to intervene and requested affected operators to provide specific details for resolution.
The meeting concluded with a special prayer for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 73rd birthday, wishing him continued good health and successful leadership.