The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that numerous consultations by the Federal Government with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has yielded fruitful result with the increment in the number of Nigerian tour operators allowed to participate in the 2024 Hajj from 10 to 40.
The body, according to a release signed by its Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, made available to Tribune Online, informed that the Federal Government engaged the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with a view to promoting indigenous entrepreneurs as a tool in sustaining Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
The Saudi authorities had in September announced that only 5 % of each Hajj participating country’s licensed tour operators would be allowed to take part in next year’s Hajj operations.
“Sequel to numerous consultations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is pleased to announce that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved Federal Government of Nigeria’s demand to increase the 2024 slots of tour operators from 10 to 40.
“It would be recalled that in a change of policy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced in September that only 5% of each Hajj-participating country’s licensed tour operators would be permitted to conduct the 2024 Hajj exercise. This translated to only 10 from Nigeria.
“However, the Federal Government of Nigeria unrelentingly engaged the Saudi ministry over the Nigerian government’s course of promoting indigenous entrepreneurs as a tool in sustaining the country’s socioeconomic development.
“In honour, the Saudi ministry in charge of Hajj and Umrah rescinded this decision in Nigeria’s favour,” Usara stated.
She further stated that consequent upon the new Saudi decision, NAHCON laid down criteria in screening the earlier announced 110 qualified tour operators using parameters including, capacity of operation; years of experience; historical antecedents and clean bill of operation, among others.
She added that on the strength of the mentioned parameters, among others, “the process of selection was tough having evaluated each operator’s ability, experience, and quality of services.”
According to her, a seven-man team of experts selected the 40 licensed tour operators adjudged to have qualified based on their scores. These, she stated were approved by the Hajj commission.
Those approved included: Hajj Mabrur Ventures Ltd; Hamsyl Travel and Tours Ltd; Gaskiya Tourism and T Agency Ltd; Shebra Travels & Tours Ltd; Alhujaaj International Umrah & Hajj Services Ltd; Taura Travel and Tours Ltd; Tafsan Towers & Travels Ltd; Amisad Air Support Services Ltd; Al-Qibla Travels and Tours Ltd; Danbare Travels Agency Ltd; Masanawa Travel and Tours Ltd and Travels Express Ltd.
Also approved are Strive Wata Travel and Tours Ltd; Maqbuul International Limited; Matasa World Wide T Agency Ltd; Arafat Air Services Nigeria Ltd; Murna Travel Agency Ltd; Dala Air Services Ltd; Libra Gold Travels & Tours Ltd; Omosa Travels Ltd; An-Noor Air Services Ltd; Pyramid Travel and Tours Ltd; Snowbal Travels and Tours Ltd; Focal Point Travels Ltd; Comerel Travels & Tours Ltd and Tomeb Travels & Tours.
Also on the approved list are Asan Umrah Company Ltd; Amami Global Links Ltd; Zango Travel & Tours Ltd; Al-Halal Travel & Tours Ltd; Dija Travels & Tours Ltd; Al-Rahma for Hajj and Umrah Services Limited; Qiblah International Services Ltd; Karamchi Travel & Tours Ltd; Allahu Nuru Travels and Tours Ltd; Dar Al-Islam Hajj & Umrah Ltd; H.A.M Travel Air Services Limited; Imam Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited; Skybird Travels and Tours Ltd and Al-Kauthar Travels & Tours Ltd.
The release, however, added that in the spirit of a business partnership, NAHCON encourages the remaining 70 tour operators that have qualified (from the 110 earlier approved) to consider aligning with the qualified 40 in the discharge of this religious obligation.
“The Commission would like to assure that, as a stakeholder, it is desirous of ensuring that this partnership is entrenched even before the issuance of letters of approval.
“Therefore, and in the principle of inclusivity, the Commission will soon hold a meeting with the overall 110 qualified operators in order to explore avenues of synergy to ensure all parties are carried along amicably,” Usara stated.
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