NAHCON inaugurates umrah monitoring committee

THE chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, has inaugurated a standing committee on umrah (lesser hajj).

According to a statement by the commission’s head of public affairs, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, the 15-man committee is chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa.

The statement listed the committee’s mandate to include constant evaluation of quality service delivery to pilgrims, proposing policy changes to be in tune with existing realities, superintending on all umrah related matters and other incidental issues.

Inaugurating the committee at the NAHCON headquarters, Hajj House, on Wednesday in Abuja, Alhaji Hassan explained that the action was necessary for the commission to be atop umrah monitoring in the interest of the pilgrims.

The NAHCON chairman expressed confidence in the competence of the committee’s chairman and the selected members in delivering on the assignment.

In a remark, Alhaji Hardawa appreciated Alhaji Hassan for the confidence reposed in him and the others to discharge the task judiciously.

He described umrah as an important focal duty of the industry which demands high level of obligation from the commission.

The commissioner commended the NAHCON boss for bringing sanity to umrah operations which, he said, used to be fraught with dubious activities tailored towards short-changing intending pilgrims.

Alhaji Hardawa said the committee would ensure that pilgrims are maximally protected, assess ongoing umrah operations, address issues as they arise and make proposal to the management on policy adjustment to capture current and emerging trends.

He called on all members of the committee to remain proactive, gather information on developing trends and deploy their experience in ensuring that umrah activities do not degenerate.

NAHCON has always encouraged umrah pilgrims to formally request information on the packages they are paying for with details of the full services due to them under such packages.