Kaduna State pilgrims have sent an urgent appeal to Governor Uba Sani to intervene in the alleged poor accommodations provided for them by the state pilgrims board in Makkah. The pilgrims, mostly located in Madinah, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the choices made by the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Al-Rigasiyyu.
According to reports, the accommodations secured by Dr. Al-Rigasiyyu for 1,400 pilgrims are situated in isolated and hilly areas, far from the Grand Mosque. One pilgrim, Muhammad Yusuf, lamented that the location poses significant challenges, making it difficult for them to attend the five daily prayers at the holy mosque of Ka’aba. The accommodations are said to be in the distant Kudai Zamzam area, which is known for its mountainous terrain.
Insiders at the Kaduna pilgrims board revealed that Dr. Al-Rigasiyyu had engaged two companies for accommodations this year. However, it is alleged that the first company, a major player in the business, was given fewer allocations, while the second company, described as a “brief case” agent, secured the ramshackle accommodations in Kudai. These areas have reportedly been banned for Nigerian pilgrims due to their distance, poor topography, and isolated nature.
A concerned official at the Kaduna pilgrims board expressed surprise at the decision made by Dr. Al-Rigasiyyu, stating, “We were all puzzled when the new Executive Secretary gave the large chunk of our pilgrims’ accommodation to that barely known estate agent. This is where it has led us now. The pilgrims are already protesting even before they arrive in Makkah.”
The situation has been aggravated by the last-minute decision of the new Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to attend the pilgrimage this year. As a result, Dr. Al-Rigasiyyu is scrambling to find alternatives and additional bed spaces to relocate the pilgrims. The governor’s visit to the accommodations is expected to shed light on the poor conditions resulting from what some officials believe to be an underhanded deal.
Kaduna State has the largest number of pilgrims this year, but its airlift operations have faced numerous administrative challenges. Furthermore, some pilgrims have expressed concern over the delay in their transportation to Saudi Arabia, as the Azman Air assigned to transport them has provided an aircraft with a capacity of only 300 passengers.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Al-Rigasayyu’s Special Assistant, Ibrahim Shehu Giwa, denied housing the pilgrims in the Kudai Zamzam area. He stated that accommodations had been secured for the 5,900 pilgrims who received visas but acknowledged that the board had yet to decide on accommodations for an additional 525 pilgrims added by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The affected pilgrims are hopeful that Governor Uba Sani will heed their call for assistance and ensure they are not subjected to the isolated and hilly areas for their stay. As the deadline for airlifting all Nigerian pilgrims approaches, it remains to be seen how the Kaduna State Government will address this ongoing issue and ensure the comfort and well-being of its citizens on this sacred journey.
