The chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, has provided further detailed explanation on how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy from the federal government to bridge the 2024 hajj fares payment gaps for pilgrims.
Addressing a world press conference on the challenges and successes of the 2024 hajj in Abuja, yesterday, Arabi said the pilgrims of the Private Tour Operators (PTO) were not captured in the intervention because the federal government requested the commission to give pilgrims under government quota priority in the distribution of N90 billion subsidy.
He said the commission also reasoned that the N90 billion intervention approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was an initiative that primarily targeted pilgrims under the government quota whose financial statuses are not as strong.
“Firstly, the Federal Government had requested NAHCON to give pilgrims under government quota priority in the N90 billion intervention because pilgrims under this category are the ones that had been depositing their Hajj fare for long for the pilgrimage. Secondly, the Commission reasoned with the PTOs that they are businessmen and women in the pilgrimage sector whose clients are mostly from the affluent in the society. Hence, the Commission as advised stood its ground that the 90 billion Naira intervention approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was an initiative that primarily targeted pilgrims under the government quota whose financial statuses are not as strong,” Arabi.
NAHCON chairman insisted that notwithstanding the reservations expressed by some individuals, the 2024 Hajj was a success and lauded the cooperation and coordination with stakeholders, including State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and some tour operators.
He said the commission under his leadership remains committed to improving processes that will enhance better service delivery to the pilgrims in future endeavors in the holy land.
“As we reflect on the challenges overcome and the successes recorded, I am proud to report that notwithstanding the reservations entered which we appreciate was within individual rights, the 2024 Hajj was a success. This board under my leadership remains committed to learning from these experiences and improving our processes to better serve the pilgrims in future endeavors. NAHCON will continue to assess and improve our processes to better serve the pilgrims and uphold the sanctity and significance of Hajj.
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