Niger State intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj may once again be transported to Saudi Arabia through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja due to ongoing repair of the runway at the Minna airport.
Speaking to Hajj Reporters, Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Muhammad Awwal Aliyu said all the intending from Niger State will be transported to Abuja to avoids any unforeseen situation that can delay the airlift the state pilgrims.
“The repair and renovation work are still ongoing at the airport, which may delay operations for the Hajj from the airport this year”.
Alh Awwal also confirmed that NAHCON has assign Flynas Airline to airlift Niger state pilgrims and a total of 3,700 pilgrims will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj
During the 2022 hajj, over 2, 265 pilgrims from Niger State were transported through Abuja airport due to the security challenges.
However, the immediate past Executive Secretary of Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Boards had assured the state intending pilgrims that “The Niger State Government is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the State Pilgrims are airlifted from Minna during this year’s Hajj operation”.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Boards, Hassan D. idris then, said the former Executive Secretary of the board Makun Lapai, gave the assurance during a facility tour to Minna International airport by some officials of the National Civil Aviation Authority from Abuja recently.
According to him “The aim of the facility inspection tour by the NCAA officials to the airport was to ascertain the condition of some facilities at the airport and to identify areas that needs urgent attention by either the federal or state government before the commencement of the 2023 Hajj operations”.
The areas inspected by the officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority at the Minna Airport, includes; Safety, navigation, runway, screening machines, departure hall and the entire vicinity of the Airport.
