Smooth Airlift Operations: 30,000 Nigerian pilgrims safely transported to Saudi Arabia for 2023 Hajj – NAHCON
Airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj has entered its 12th day, with approximately 30,000 pilgrims safely transported to Madinah in the first phase of operations.
This information was conveyed in a press statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON.
At the beginning of this year’s airlift services, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) devised a 25-day airlift plan, aiming to complete the process before the closure of Jeddah airport on June 22, 2023. As a result, NAHCON’s airlift operations are progressing according to plan.
NAHCON is deeply committed to providing the best services for its pilgrims at all times. To ensure the pilgrims receive exemplary care, a team of staff was dispatched to Saudi Arabia in advance.
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Their role was to ensure satisfactory accommodations and catering services arrangements were in place before the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims.
Prior to that, the Commission meticulously screened and selected competent catering service providers to ensure the provision of high-quality meals for Nigerian pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, NAHCON secured adequately standardized accommodations for the pilgrims. In addition to these selection processes, the Commission established mechanisms for checks and balances to ensure that service providers fulfill their obligations without compromising the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
These mechanisms include clearly defined terms and conditions, signed agreements, advance payment for services, continuous monitoring and supervision by NAHCON staff, as well as a complaint portal and an open-door policy to address any grievances that may arise.
The complaint line operates 24/7 in Hausa, Fulfulde, Yoruba, and Igbo and can be reached at 097000780. Alternatively, individuals can visit NAHCON’s portal at nahcon.gov.ng, where they can access the complaint management portal.
Therefore, NAHCON encourages any pilgrim with complaints regarding poor services, such as catering, transportation, sanitation, or any other unsatisfactory aspect of their experience, to report them through the aforementioned channels or contact NAHCON’s coordinators in Madinah and Makkah.
The Commission is committed to addressing these issues promptly. Where obvious violations of the welfare of its pilgrims are identified, NAHCON will not hesitate to take necessary action.
The Commission will thoroughly investigate such claims and impose appropriate penalties on the defaulters, in accordance with the terms specified in the contract.
Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman of NAHCON, commended Nigerian pilgrims for their resilience and cooperation during the airlift schedules, without which the operations would not have proceeded smoothly.
He also expressed his appreciation to the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions for their prompt response to departure arrangements, which has so far been orderly with minimal delays.
Alhaji Hassan extended his gratitude to other stakeholders for their exemplary performance, contributing to the overall smoothness of the Hajj operations.
The Chairman assured that the satisfaction of Nigerian intending pilgrims remains the primary focus of the Commission at all times. He urged them to remain prepared for their turn to be airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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