A new union that comprised of Private Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria has emerged.
The Union, in a release signed by its Chairman Alhaji Muhammed A. Suliman and Secretary Alhaji R.A Bemekun sent to Hajj Reporters said the new group aims at ensuring transparency, effective communication, and joint decision-making. The gesture would go a long way toward building togetherness, cooperation, and unity of inclusivity among all its members.
“It also aims to offer advice, communicate and agree with the commission to ensure seamless Hajj activities ranging from Hajj allocation, issuance of visas, departure, feeding, accommodation and return of pilgrims in a hitch-free manner for all the pilgrims back to the country”.
See full release below
PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT
THURSDAY, 25TH JULY, 2024.
Unveiling the gift of us and the embodiment of the 2024 hajj.
As Salam Alaykum
Good day, members, stakeholders, and everyone here present reading this statement.
It is with utmost pleasure that we introduce our union HAJJ AND UMRAH TOUR OPERATORS UNION OF NIGERIA (HUTOUN) is an Umbrella body under the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) hereby referred to as the “Commission”.
It is a union that aims at ensuring transparency, effective communication, and joint decision-making. The gesture would go a long way toward building togetherness, cooperation, and unity of inclusivity among all its members.
It also aims to offer advice, communicate and agree with the commission to ensure seamless Hajj activities ranging from Hajj allocation, issuance of visas, departure, feeding, accommodation and return of pilgrims in a hitch-free manner for all the pilgrims back to the country.
In summary, it is a safe gathering for tour operators who aim to achieve pilgrim satisfaction viz-a-viz compliance with the commission’s rules and regulations.
It will be noted also that, we are reiterating that our union is for all and everyone’s view matters on the hitch-free hajji exercise to serve the pilgrims without any hindrance that would bring growth and improvement in the day-to-day hajji exercise.
HAJJ 2024 FROM OUR LENSES.
This year’s Hajj witnessed lots of improvement under the leadership of Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi. Thus,
- Early issuance of Hajj visas, providing clarity on flight availability and preventing issues that surfaced of delayed visas in the 2022 & 2023 Hajj seasons.
- Successful crediting of IBAN accounts by NAHCON, along with timely remittance at prevailing exchange rates and the introduction of late payment windows for tour operators.
- Improvements in tent “D” facilities, services, and feeding compared to the previous year, thereby showcasing better NAHCON supervision of pilgrim’s transportation from Makkah to Mina.
- Successful implementation of online registration for return trips, avoiding situations where pilgrims missed their flight due to delays in obtaining release letters for passport release from NAHCON.
However, despite the above, we are ready to partner with the Commission in engaging relevant Saudi Agencies who are directly involved in tackling the following;
- Inadequate number of toilets, leading to hygiene and sanitation concerns.
- Overcrowding of tenant “A” in Muna, creating difficulties in providing proper accommodation and services.
- Poor treatment of pilgrims at tenant “A”, necessitating a review of procedures and protocols to ensure the well-being of all individuals.
We are available to collaborate with the Commission at all times in her onerous task of ensuring that improved efficient and effective services are being provided for Nigerian pilgrims to consolidate on the successes recorded in the just concluded hajji operations in the 2025 hajji exercises.
It is pertinent to mention that Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi has started well as the Commission for the first in recent times concluded the airlift of a Nigerian contingent to Saudi Arabia to and fro ahead of the official deadline. There was no request for an extension
We pray and look forward to more improved hajj services in the subsequent years.
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Alhaji Muhammed A. Suliman Alhaji R.A Bemekun
Chairman of Union Secretary of Union
