A faith-based civil society organisation (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) on Wednesday called on state governors across the country to renovate the various Hajj transit camps in their states and FCT ahead of the airlift of intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj operations.
The call, according to IHR, became necessary due to the decaying nature of some of the camps, adding that some of the Hajj camps needed urgent renovation ahead of pilgrims’ airlift.
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The group, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, said, “It is common knowledge that intending pilgrims spend several days at the various Hajj camps ahead of their airlift to Saudi Arabia, and information at our disposal indicates that some of the camps need urgent renovation to make them more comfortable.”
The CSO, however, singled out some governors, including those of Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Sokoto states and the Minister of FCT for undertaking extensive modernisation and renovation of the Hajj transit camps in their states.
It noted that apart from serving intending pilgrims, the Hajj camps can equally generate revenues for various state pilgrims’ welfare boards by putting up hotels and event centres in the camps.
“We also acknowledge the government of Osun State for the promise to build a world-class permanent Hajj transit camp and urge the state government to complete the project before the 2025 Hajj exercise.
“In other Hajj countries, pilgrims’ education and enlightenment sessions are usually held in Hajj camps to allow pilgrims to experience familiarity and to also get acquainted with their first point of stay whenever the Hajj airlift begins.
“We plead with the state executives to renovate and upgrade the facilities in their various Hajj camps before the Hajj airlift is scheduled to begin within the last week of April this year.
“In addition, we know that the camps can be used for commercial purposes by erecting hotels and event centres that can generate revenue for the pilgrims’ welfare boards and the states in general,” IHR stated.
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