Hajj 2018: NAHCON begins airlift of pilgrims 21st July

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the inaugural flight for 2018 Hajj will commence 21st July with pilgrims from Kogi state.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed, disclosed this at the “Final Preparatory Meeting for 2018 Hajj” in Abuja.

The meeting was called to review arrangements so far made in preparation for the upcoming Muslim pilgrimage.

He said the Saudi authorities have agreed to carry out a mobile biometric data-capturing exercise.

The firm appointed to conduct the registration will travel from one location to the other registering intending pilgrims instead of the previous arrangement of moving the pilgrims to designated data-capturing centres, he said.

He therefore directed states welfare boards and agencies that have fully uploaded their pilgrims’ particulars on the Hajj e-portal to mobilize their pilgrims for the assignment.

He also instructed the state welfare boards to indicate their readiness and ensure that they provide the biometric data capturing officials with functional offices completely air-conditioned, with constant electricity supply and internet facility.

NAHCON’s chief stressed that vaccines for the necessary inoculation of pilgrims are already made available for take-off of the immunization activity, warning state officials from running clinics in their pilgrim’s accommodation facilities while in the holy land, as this is against Saudi regulations.

He said the national medical team, comprising 60% of state nominated medical staff and NAHCON’s 40%, remains solely responsible for establishing medical centres in Saudi Arabia.

These national clinics remain the only recognized medical facilities apart from the Saudi- based ones, he said.  

Barrister Mukhtar again urged state representatives to sensitize their pilgrims on the need to remain in their homes until their flights are called instead of putting themselves under pressure waiting at the Hajj camps.

One of the matters arising is the issue of double decker beds to be made available in Muna, at an additional cost of 150 Saudi Riyals.

He informed that this was a later development communicated to NAHCON from the Mu’as’sasa establishment. Thus, any state willing to hire the beds for their pilgrims should indicate their interest for further action.

On the part of tour operators, the Chairman charged them to remain focused on the Hajj template and not to compromise standards or short-change pilgrims of the services they have paid for.