Pilgrims welfare: NAHCON to open desk offices at airports

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) has disclosed it will soon open desk offices in some airports where flying of pilgrims will be accomplished.

NAHCON announced this during a meeting with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON) members intended to tackle some operational matters.

As indicated by NAHCON, the desk offices will guarantee that pilgrims are given the proper treatment at the airports and will implement any policy agreements between pilgrims and their service providers.

The meeting which was led by NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, also deliberated the reformation of zonal and outreach offices for comfort and need for them to liaise with the zonal and outreach offices to lodge complaints or clarify matters.

NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan

In a statement released after the meeting, NAHCON stated, “They were also briefed on the new desk offices to be opened in some airports. This is happening after seeking and getting approval from the airport authorities.

“The desk officers will be there to ensure welfare of pilgrims to forestall being treated unfairly and to enforce any policy agreements between pilgrims and their service providers.

“Additionally the desk officers will be at the airports as liaison officers to support tour operators and solve minor problems where manageable.

“It was also resolved that the commission will liaise with Primary Healthcare Agency to reserve COVID-19 vaccines for tour operators’ pilgrims.

“They were also briefed on new data collation system for Umrah pilgrims, review of guarantor charges to N1,000,000 instead of $5000 as penalty for visa violation, withholding of caution deposit and other guidelines.”

Present at the summit were the Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management and Finance; Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai, Board member representing Ministry of Health, Pharm. Zainab Ujudud Sheriff and other National Hajj Commission of Nigeria members.

Others include the AHUON president Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi Suleiman, AHUON EXCO members, representatives of Licensed Tour Operators, management and other NAHCON employees.