Reps probe Hajj commission over 2024 pilgrimage

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the National Hajj Commission over the conduct of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, Kwara State, Mr Mohammed Bio, on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House condemned the performance of NAHCON and the Federal Capital Territory Authority Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the 2024 Hajj exercise and set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the activities of NAHCON and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their agents and sub-agents in the 2024 Hajj exercise.

Subsequently, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, named the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Sada Soli, the Chairman of the committee.

Titled, “Urgent need to investigate the National Hajj Commission and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their agents, and sub-agents over shoddy arrangement and treatment of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj exercise,” the motion came on the floor of the green chamber as a matter of urgent public importance.

Describing the Hajj exercise as an important obligation in the life of every Muslim and one of the five pillars of Islam, Bio lamented that about 50,865 Muslim pilgrims across the states in Nigeria were under the care of NAHCON in 2024, noting that some of them were not taken care of in terms of welfare, organisation, guidance, and monitoring as expected.

He added that despite, “The huge amount paid by the pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise, NAHCON’s 2024 budget allocation, intervention from the Federal Government to the tune of N90bn and support from Government of Saudi Arabia, NAHCON and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board performed below performance in the 2024 Hajj Exercise especially in Makkah and Mina is unexpected.”

The lawmaker warned that “If this poor performance of NAHCON is not investigated with a view to improve future performance, further Hajj exercise for Nigerian citizens may be more complicated and put the entire country in a bad light in the committee of nations.”

The committee has two weeks to report back to the Green Chamber for further legislative action.