Despite the directive by the leadership of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators AHUON to its members to suspend participation from any form of activity relating to 2025 Hajj pending when the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) meets its demands, over 90 Companies have so far applied to the commission to participate in the 2025 hajj exercise.
AHUON specifically asked its members to stay away from the Hajj preparations until NAHCON pays them their refunds and caution deposits.
However, a highly placed source informed HAJJ REPORTERS on Thursday that the Commisioner in charge of Operations in NAHCON, Prince Anofi Elegushi had during a virtual meeting held on 2nd October explained the situation surrounding the delay in the disbursement of the refund to deserving pilgrims.
“The refund you people are asking for is meant for entire Nigerian pilgrims and not for Private Tour operators pilgrims alone.Pilgrims from the States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards are also entitled to the refund.
“Yes, we have a refund to be distributed to pilgrims but we cannot disburse the money without proper reconciliation to know how much each state will receive and how much will go to the Tour Operator pilgrims. Even at that, we have to ensure that deserving Tour operators have no outstanding issues with their respective pilgrims which is the reason why we have to complete the reconciliation process before payment”
Another source informed Hajj Reporters that NAHCON has agreed to extend the deadline for the purchase of application forms and payment of caution deposits by interested Tour Operators till Friday 4th October 2024.
Meanwhile, some licensed Tour Operators have commended the leadership of AHUON for stepping up the demand of outstanding refunds but urge them to exercise caution in implementing their strategies.
“Let me be fair to AHUON, they are right in their demands, but I don’t support the way and manner we are adopting negative media campaign against NAHCON.
“We should understand that AHUON cannot do without NAHCON but NAHCON can carry out its functions without AHUON. How can you ask us to stop preparing for Hajj knowing fully well that it is the only business many of us run?” One of the operators who declined to be named said.
He also said “ we have new Chairman and we need to give him time to settle down first. It doesn’t work that way, the source told HAJJ REPORTERS.
