14,000 pilgrims yet to get their shares from N90bn FG’s subsidy – AHUON

BY ANDREW OROLUA

Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), has said that about 14,000 Nigerian pilgrims who performed this year’s pilgrimage are yet to get their shares from N90bn federal government pilgrims subsidy months after the exercise ended.

The operators also faulted the narrative given by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) about this year’s Hajj operation, adding that “none of the international Pilgrims received a dime out of the N90 Billion subsidy.

It further accused the Hajj Commission of presenting misleading statistics to the public on the conduct of this year pilgrimage.

Recall that the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON),Malam Jalal Arabi had on Tuesday July 30, 2024 appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, and reiterated that the commission under his leadership always adhere to transparency, lawful and ethical standard.

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He stated why he was being quizzed by anti graft agency who wanted from him details explanation on how NAHCON shared the huge financial assistance among the pilgrims and other noticeable anomalies that marred the conduct of this year’s pilgrimage.

Reacting to NAHCON”s ‘World Press conference’ claims in a statement , AHUON existed that “this year about 14,000 Pilgrims performed the Hajj exercise through the international segment and are yet to receive their shares.

A statement jointly signed by Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo National President AHUON and General Secretary Muhammad Nasir Chamo also stated that NAHCOM presented misleading statistics about the pilgrims exercise.The operators therefore called on the National Assembly to investigate the conduct of this year pilgrimage .

The statement read as follows:

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

“Under normal circumstances, such forum should have been an essential 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 right 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 oblige to inform Nigerians 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 will 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, Hajj), the Ministry of Hajj 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 Hajj exercise through the international segment. But we repeat, none of our members have benefited from the N90 Billion as NAHCON claimed to have distributed to Nigerians Pilgrims despite our demands.

Are the International Pilgrims not Nigerians? We’re determine to continue to ask for the share of these fund 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 any 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 Hajj, 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 every pilgrim 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 off-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 will 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 in the management of Hajj 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 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 stitch in time saves Nine”We thank you all for your cooperation. “