The current challenge faced by some States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards in finalizing their accommodation contracts with their chosen service providers has been attributed to the failure of Saudi accommodation providers.
The NAHCON Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi clarified today.
Speaking to HAJJ REPORTERS, Prince Elegushi said the role of NAHCON in the provision of accommodations is to select accommodation providers companies that Saudi Arabia has approved, screens them and ensures that they meet the criteria set by NAHCON.
“Once that is done, NAHCON will now send the list to states for them to choose their preferred providers. States are solely responsible for choosing their accommodation while NAHCON inspect to ensure it meets basic standards set by NAHCON.
Elegushi, who also exonerated the states, said the Accommodation agents in Saudi Arabia ought to have made an advance payment to the landlords of their property to tie it down, knowing fully well that the state will make the payment later via Nusuk.
“When we came in January, the states meet their choosing accommodation providers and select the houses for their pilgrims. Because the agents failed to make initial payment to the landlord of these houses, other countries are now coming to the traditional areas of Nigerian pilgrims with a higher offer to tempt the landlords. So, the problem is not about NAHCON or States, he said
Speaking further, Elegushi said some of the landlords of these houses are also adamant in being paid via NUSUK as they prefer to be paid in cash. Additionally, other countries are now ordering SR4,000 against the SR 3000 benchmark tabulated in the 2025 hajj fare for Nigerian pilgrims.
So, it is wrong to blame NAHCON for the little challenges which we are working round the clock to solve. Media should put the issue in proper perspective for the public to understand.
