THE Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to constitute a special committee to monitor the disbursement of refunds to about 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who performed the 2023 hajj.
The organisation said the call became necessary in view of the controversies that often follow refunds to hajj pilgrims in the country.
The IHR, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, said: “We are aware that the refund has been disbursed to state pilgrims boards and agencies, as well as private tour operators, for onward payment to their respective 2023 pilgrims.
“NAHCON announced that each pilgrim who participated in the 2023 hajj exercise would be refunded 150 Saudi Riyals after the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah refunded them for services poorly rendered to the pilgrims.
“Also, the commission announced that Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2022 hajj under private hajj operators would receive SR62,602 (about N27 million) as a refund from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for ‘poor feeding’ in Mina that year.
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“We also urge NAHCON to make details of the refund available to the public as a sign of transparency and accountability which is essential in restoring the confidence of the public and intending pilgrims in the system.”
The organisation said such details should include the amount released to NAHCON by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the amount that has been released to state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, the number of pilgrims involved and names of private tour operators that are entitled to the refunds.
The commission, it said, should compel state Muslim pilgrims boards and private tour operators to provide lists of pilgrims entitled to the refunds and monitor them to ensure that the refunds reach the right beneficiaries.
“While we commend the NAHCON chairman and his commissioners for the approval of the refunds, we appeal to the commission to institute a process that will ensure that the refunds get to their rightful beneficiaries – the 2023 hajj pilgrims,” the IHR added.
It said that as a civil society organisation, it would also constitute a committee comprising veteran journalists to follow up on the refund process and carry out continuous updates via IHR platforms and social media handles.
The IHR promised to collaborate with NAHCON and other stakeholders to promote transparency and advocate an effective hajj management system in Nigeria.
