Reps probe NAHCON, FCT pilgrims board over 2024 Hajj operations 

The House of Representatives on Thursday set up an ad-hoc committee that will investigate the activities of the Nigeria Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and Federal Capital Territory  Administration (FCTA) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and their agents and sub-agents over the conduct of the 2024 Hajj operations.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Umar Bio, who accused the Commission and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of shoddy preparation and execution of the exercise. 

In his lead debate on the motion, Hon. Bio said the Hajj exercise is important in the life of every Muslim and is, in fact, one of the five pillars of Islam, while NAHCON was set up to provide efficient and effective services to the pilgrims through the implementation of NAHCON Act.

According to him, about 50,865 Muslim pilgrims across the states in Nigeria were under the care of NAHCON and some of them were not taken care of in terms of welfare, organization, guidance and monitoring as expected.

Hon. Bio further expressed grave concern over the huge amount paid by the Pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise, NAHCON’s 2024 budget allocation, intervention from the Federal Government to the tune of N90 billion and support from the Government of Saudi Arabia, NAHCON’s and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’s below performance in the 2024 Hajj Exercise especially in Makkah and Mina is unexpected.

He said that if this poor performance of NAHCON is not investigated with a view to improving future performance, further Hajj exercises for Nigerian citizens may be more complicated and put the entire country in a bad light in the committee of nations.

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