The Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, has called for unity in decision-making among tour operators, under the aegis of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON), to ensure a streamlined and effective process for the 2024 Hajj operations.
Arabi made the call on Friday at a meeting between the Hajj body and the tour operators at the NAHCON House in Abuja, which had AHOUN members, including the 40 Hajj travel agencies approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to operate this year’s pilgrimage.
A release, signed by NAHCON Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, made available to Tribune Online, stated that while acknowledging the potential challenges arising from varied choices, Arabi advised the travel agents to deliberate and reach a collective decision.
According to Usara, the chairman said that in the absence of a unified stance among the travel operators, NAHCON reserved the right to exercise its veto power to select a service provider that aligned with the overall interest and objectives of the Nigerian Hajj mission.
This, the NAHCON boss said, was a result of the fact that the Commission was the body recognised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when issues went wrong.
Malam Arabi further said that the call for a unified stand was meant to prevent unnecessary distractions during Hajj operations when there would be so much operational pressure coming from various legitimate interests.
Explaining the rationale behind the meeting with the AHOUN members, Usara stated it was held against the backdrop of the divergence in decisions among tour operators regarding their choice of a service provider, Mu’assasa, to work with during the forthcoming 2024 Hajj operations.
“It would be recalled that the leadership of AHOUN requested an opportunity to scout for alternative service providers due to the liberalisation of the sector by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“NAHCON had approved the alternative selection pending approval of the Commission after thorough vetting of draft agreements submitted to NAHCON and after thorough consultation with AHOUN members by their leadership in order to carry their members along.
“These milestones had not been reached when dissenting voices began to re-echo,” the NAHCON Assistant Director stated.
She informed that the meeting was held as a result of NAHCON’s commitment to a cohesive and well-coordinated approach before embarking on the sacred journey of Hajj.
She added that AHOUN leadership is expected to meet with its members privately and report to the Commission on its decision.
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