The chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Saleh Usman, is expected to depart for Saudi Arabia on January 4, alongside some selected staff, Hajj Reporters has learnt.
Executive secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, as well as leaders of Private Hajj Operators, are also expected to be part of the trip.
The visit comes less than two weeks after the NAHCON chairman, alongside a commissioner and members of the E-Track Committee, returned from an earlier visit to the Kingdom.
A source within the commission confirmed the trip, disclosing that the chairman will preside over the final contractual arrangements for accommodation and catering services for state pilgrims. According to the source, meetings involving state officials and private Hajj operators are scheduled to hold between January 5 and 7.
“In addition, issues affecting Private Hajj Operators will also be addressed. There are serious concerns surrounding service providers, especially as they are to operate under the B2C arrangement this year, and you know what that implies,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that another pre-Hajj visit is being planned during the Ramadan period, involving the chairman and members of the Umrah Monitoring Team.
