The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had explained to Hajj private tour operators, under the aegis of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON), the reason they cannot receive a share of N20 million from the Hajj Development Levy as they demanded.
The Commission’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, gave the reason at a virtual meeting held with AHOUN members last Friday. The meeting was called in preparation for 2025 Hajj.
According to Elegushi, who presides over the meeting, NAHCON Establishment Act did not recognise cash withdrawal from the levy to pay individuals or organisations, adding that what the Act stipulated was funding of projects that would be beneficial to the welfare of pilgrims’ and pilgrims’ managers.
NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, informed that before the virtual meeting, the commission had earlier met with the leadership of the Hajj private sector in Nigeria, adding that tour operators were briefed on a number of issues, including the outcome of the virtual meeting with Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as well as the outcome of meeting with AHOUN leadership held on September 10.
Sanda informed that concerning AHOUN’s concern over caution deposit refunds, Elegushi explained to AHOUN leadership that the caution deposit was meant to compensate any pilgrim with genuine claims of disservice by a tour operator.
“The normal procedure after every Hajj was for NAHCON to refund pilgrims that did not go for the Hajj from the defaulting company’s caution deposit. Hence, advertisement is first placed in any national daily newspaper inviting complaints from pilgrims.
“Then after one month’s expiration of the advertisement, those companies without any indictment are considered eligible for refunds thus will be invited for reconciliation after which they apply for the refund or roll-over.
“Any company found wanting on the other hand will wait for an outcome of investigation to be followed by reconciliation then payment of refund after sending its formal request for that,” Elegushi explained to the tour operators.
He further explained that in 2023, out of 241 tour operators that deposited the caution deposit of N5 million each, 139 requested and received their refunds, while 70 companies requested for a roll-over of their deposit to 2024 instead of a refund.
He added that the remaining number were those yet to be cleared of allegations and those yet to apply for their refunds or roll over.
Elegushi informed that as for 2024 refund of caution deposit, invitation for complaint ended on August 10 after which only 26 companies had applied for refund as at the time of the meeting, adding that process was still ongoing.
The commissioner, however, told the meeting that due to new developments in the commission, payment could not be made at that time without an approving officer, who was the Chairman/CEO.
Elegushi then confirmed that many companies have already started reaching their refunds, while some have requested for roll-over. He, therefore, called on those yet to request for refund to do so or roll-over for next year’s Hajj.
Speaking on certain offshore plights, Prince Elegushi assured the AHUON leadership that NAHCON has been in liaison with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on matters of offshore refunds for services not rendered to private tour operators as well as on paucity of Umrah visas.
According to him, these contentious issues formed part of discussions during the virtual meeting held with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry on September 4th, saying that there were strong indications of a headway.
He assured concerned AHOUN members that NAHCON would hold further discussions with the Hajj ministry with a view to resolving the issue.
On his part, AHUON President, Alhaji Abdullateef Ekundayo, appreciated NAHCON for holding the meeting and expressed satisfaction for the opportunity to discuss critical issues with the Commission as the regulators.
While thanking the commission for granting tour operators’ request for registration deadline for 2025 Hajj, Ekundayo declared AHOUN’s readiness to accord NAHCON the respect it deserved while the association expected same from the Commission.
Usara stated that both NAHCON and AHUON recognised their dependability in the conduct of smooth Hajj operations, adding that they both resolved to refresh their mutual relationship as stakeholders through consultation and respect for each other’s roles and also agreed to enhance communication for the sake of harmony.
