2024 hajj: IHR urges NAHCON, private tour operators to close ranks

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Given the short time, high cost and the low turnout of intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj, the Independent Hajj Reporters has appealed to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the private hajj operators to find a common ground over the ongoing disagreement over a list of approved tour operators.

The IHR stated that the disagreement, if not quickly resolved, might affect the number of 2024 intending pilgrims as well as the operational structure in the hajj industry.

The organisation gave the advice in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, and made available to newsmen.

The IHR recalled that NAHCON had released a list of 110 private hajj operators screened by the commission for participation in 2024 hajj. Prior to this, it said Saudi Arabia had directed all hajj-participating countries to reduce the number of private hajj operators to 10.

“The Saudis later reviewed the number to 40 for Nigeria. NAHCON was compelled to introduce new criteria to trim the 110 companies to 40 with a view to allowing others to merge with the approved 40 companies whose names will be forwarded to Saudi Arabia,” it said.

The IHR also said some tour operators whose names were on the initial list of 110 released by NAHCON are alleging favouritism, saying some companies among the listed 40 are not qualified for such consideration.

The allegation infuriated NAHCON which later suspended allocation of hajj slots to private tour operators and halted their activities altogether.

In a statement, the hajj commission said: “In commitment to transparency and integrity, NAHCON has decided to suspend further activities related to the allocation of hajj seats to the PTOs for the next 48 hours. This decision comes in light of recent accusations levelled by some PTOs unable to meet the required pass mark. The commission is fully aware that there may be dissenting voices which have expectedly begun to manifest.”

“While we understand the importance of regulatory oversight and compliance as undertaken by NAHCON, we also believe that it is not right for the commission to have publicly suspended the pre hajj activities and allocation of hajj slots to the 40 Tour Operators irrespective of allegations made by some tour operators because doing so amounts to ‘admitting’ error of judgment in the lists especially given the extremely tight schedules in the 2024 hajj calendar.”

However, the IHR argued that those who made the allegations could have been isolated and their allocation withheld while allowing others to continue with their 2024 hajj activities.

It said: “Tour operators are allocated 20,000 pilgrims while states Muslim pilgrims welfare boards share 75,000 seats. Currently, states are yet to register up to 25,000 pilgrims. Freezing the process of early registration of possible additional 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims to boost the number of 2024 intending pilgrims may not be ideal at this time.

“Private hajj operators have a great role to play due to the low turnout in the registration of pilgrims for 2024 hajj in the states. Their clients may not find it difficult to pay the current proposed hajj fare, thereby increasing the number of pilgrims if the right marketing strategy is deployed.

“On the other hand, private hajj operators should also appreciate that the number of companies has been increased to 40 from the initial 10 by Saudi Arabia and they, therefore, need to unite ranks instead of raising unnecessary dust. They could have written to NAHCON as individuals or under AHUON to raise their observations with verifiable proof.

“Private hajj operators cannot be blaming NAHCON for doing its assigned role of regulation or making unsubstantiated allegations against their colleagues when they fail to adhere to regulations prescribed by the apex hajj regulatory body in Nigeria.

“We call on all concerned to forge a common ground in the interest of intending pilgrims as any operational friction within the hajj managers will have spiral negative effects in the entire hajj operation that will definitely affect service delivery to our dear pilgrims.”

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