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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has inaugurated a 32-man Screening and Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2025 Hajj air-carriers and cargo conveyers, as well as a six-man Secretariat for the Committee.
The Commission has also opened Application Forms for the Issuance of Hajj Licence for airlift of the 2025 pilgrims from Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed and released by NAHCON’S Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Tuesday
According to the statement, the inauguration of the committees would set the pace “for a series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers as well as excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise”.
“The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman described the inauguration as an important activity that demands commitment due to the magnitude of work involved and its significance to successful operations He urged the members to work within the terms of reference towards providing excellent services to pilgrims, “the statement added.
Usara said the Committee, chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspection and Licensing, Anofi Elegushi, draws membership from several aviation industry managers, and stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, and representatives from the Presidency, Security Agencies and NAHCON staff.
The Committee members nclude five representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
Similarly, one member each was drawn from the Nigerian Customs’ Service and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. Others are NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties, as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.
Usara also said eleven airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia, had already sent in application, indicating interest to airlift pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
“Eleven airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia sent applications indicating interest in the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj. From Saudi Arabia under the airlift bilateral agreement are FlyNas and Flyadeal. Nine applications are from Nigerian airline companies; they are Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited standing for Ethiopian Airlines, UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet and Trebet Aviation Ltd”.
“Meanwhile, five cargo companies applied for excess luggage transportation. They are Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo, “the statement read.
The Commission also stated that the Terms of Reference for the Airlines Screening Committee included screening prospective carriers for the 2025 or declining the screening of applicants whose status were at variance with the conditions of application.
The Committee will also have the authority to recommend minimum standards of operation in accordance with industry best practices by the prequalified companies, recommend appropriate pilgrim airfare and excess luggage rate for the specified departure zones, and submit a comprehensive report at the completion of the exercise for consideration of the EXCO of the Commission
For the Aviation Monitoring Committee, the terms of reference include constituting a subcommittee to review and evaluate all documents to be submitted by applicant Airlines in respect of 2025 Hajj, inspecting and assessing the readiness of the airports being considered for the 2025 Hajj Operation, and liasing with the Central Security Committee and Task Force on abscondment of pilgrims in order to provide support where needed.
The Committee Chairman, Anofi Elegushi, called on members to be ready to work day and night in order to conclude their assignment within the timeframe allotted. He reminded them of the crucial place aviation occupies in the operation of Hajj.
He described last year’s Hajj airlift as successful having concluded both the outbound and inbound flights earlier than slated, and gave assurances of replicating the feat and even better.
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