The acting Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, has appealed to the Saudi Arabian service provider, the Mutawiff of African and Non-Arab Countries, to significantly enhance services for Nigerian pilgrims in 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement signed by the NAHCON Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki, the new NAHCON chairman made the appeal at a meeting in Abuja with Chairman of Mutawiff, Dr. Ahmad Abbas Sindi.
Malam Arabi stressed the need for the two parties to collaborate in order to prevent and find solution to the issues encountered during the 2023 Hajj.
He emphasized that the purpose of the interface was to pave way for a new approach that would effectively address the problems faced during the 2023 Hajj.
“As partners, we are here to discuss, collaborate, engage, and interact, with the aim of nurturing this partnership. The 2023 Hajj has gone and the 2024 Hajj is approaching. Therefore, it is essential to address all details and ensure a smoother experience than what was achieved in the past,” he stated.
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In his response, the Chairman of Mutawiff assured NAHCON of a revamped Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims in the upcoming 2024 Hajj.
He stated that efforts and commitments have been made to improve service delivery in Mina and Arafat, citing changes in manpower, systems, and control of the Arafat project.
Dr Sindi also highlighted plans to enhance toilet facilities and their distribution. And in terms of catering, a new policy is to be implemented to ensure Nigerian pilgrims are served promptly and with a Nigerian menu.
“We have engaged vendors to source produce from Nigeria and hired Nigerian cooks to ensure that meals served during the Masha’ir align with Nigerian tastes,” he added. “We are fully committed to implementing these improvements and ensuring efficient food delivery from the kitchen to the tents. We promise a remarkable Hajj in 2024, Insha Allah.”
Regarding transportation, he pointed out that arrangements have been made to increase the frequency of shuttle buses between Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafat, and Makkah to address previous transportation issues. The Chairman assured that the bus services would operate 24 hours to accommodate pilgrims.
He further stated that despite the investments and financial commitments to modernize and improve services, pilgrims and Hajj missions will not bear additional financial burdens.
“While we have committed a significant investment to upgrade services, pilgrims can expect reduced or unchanged charges. Our aim is to ensure a memorable Hajj in 2024, Insha Allah.”
In addressing refunds for services not rendered during the 2023 Hajj, Sindi promised that the necessary reimbursements would be made.
The meeting which was attended by some secretaries of state pilgrims welfare boards, executives and members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah operators of Nigeria (AHUON), addressed concerns regarding services in Masha’ir during the 2023 Hajj and outlined plans for the 2024 Hajj.
