FCT Pilgrims Stranded In Saudi Arabia

Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Muslim pilgrims are facing untold hardship in Saudi Arabia, over poor accommodation arrangements.

Information gathered revealed that some of the pilgrims in the first batch, already in Saudi Arabia, were stranded as their accommodation arrangements did not meet the minimum requirements by the Hajj planning committee.

A credible source disclosed that the director of the FCT Muslim Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Malam Abubakar Evuti, has demonstrated the highest level of administrative incompetence and ineptitude.

It was gathered that the National Hajj Commission allocated only 3, 562 to FCT, while the Board has allegedly increased the slots to over 4,000.

It was also gathered that the director and the officials were overwhelmed by pressures coming from both highly placed politicians and wealthy business people, over slots allocation.

An aggrieved staff of FCT who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the immediate past FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, allegedly helped to worsen the situation, by hijacking many of the slots.

It was also revealed that the ex-minister allegedly gave out the slots to political allies of President Tinubu, as a way of lobbying for reappointment.

One of the pilgrims who pleaded anonymity, expressed displeasure over the unpalatable experiences of the pilgrims at the Abuja Hajj Transit Camp, complaining that many of the pilgrims had lost excitement for the exercise.

As at the time of filing this report, the Board’s Media Office was yet to react to the issues.