Lifting of Ban: Tour Operators seeks Saudi Ministry of Hajj assistance over “hanging” Umrah fee, expired visas

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Hajj Reporters

 

The lifting of flight suspension on Nigeria by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened the door for private Hajj Operators to ferry their registered Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.  The scrapping of most of the Covid 19 protocols especially the medical related protocol that requires payment will brings more relieved for private Hajj and Umrah Operators in the country.

 

Saudi Arabia General authority of civil aviation had on 8th of December announced the suspension of direct flight from Nigeria over the spread of Omicron variants.

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As at the time of the ban, some Tour operators were on the verge of transporting their Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia thereby thwarted their hope of going for the lesser pilgrimage. Tour Operators who has completed booking for all services in Saudi Arabia are now calling for the assistance of Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to enable them makes refund to their pilgrims or rebooked them for Umrah within Ramadan period.

 

The Tour Operators Companies said most of their clients have paid for Umrah and they in turn had purchased air tickets, paid for hotels accommodations and acquired visas before the announcement of the ban on direct flight last December.

 

The Chairman/CEO of Raudah Travels, Umar Abdulhadi said he has over 143 Umrah visa that has expired because of the suspension.

 

“I have concluded all necessary arrangement with our Saudi Agent Alrakab Al moumayaz with license number 1319 includes payment for all services to be enjoyed by our pilgrims but As Almighty has destined, they could not travel due to the ban.

 

However, most of my pilgrims prefers to use their ticket during Ramadan and unless the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah help us to facilitates the refunds and possibly wave visa fee, we are going to find it difficult.

 

Umar Abdulhadi further stated that “Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has been very proactive in terms of making refunds and he has confidence that they will soon attend to their challenges”.

 

The Chairman CEO of Hamsyl Travels, ALH Mustapha Hamisu Inuwa told HAJJ REPORTERS that his company registered about 630 along with Ibsaa travels before the ban on direct flights.

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“You know all services are now being paid online and we have effect all payments through our Saudi based accredited Umrah agent  Sakabal Hijaz with licence number 1011. Unfortunately for us, GACA announced the flight ban which automatically blocked my pilgrims’ chances of travelling for Umrah. The visa we procured has also expired and we may need to apply for another visa if our pilgrim wants to perform Umrah in Ramadan

 

The CEO of Hamsyl Travels said the refunds for those services have not been made to them and this is affecting their chances of ferrying another batch of Umrah pilgrims especially during Ramadan.

 

“Most of my pilgrims said they want to defers their booking to Ramadan Umrah and this is where we have challenges”

 

We plead with Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to help us facilitate the refunds so we can commence preparation for Umrah.

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We have visas that have expired and it costs us a lot of money. Our businesses have experienced difficulties in the last two years and we hope the return to normalcy we brings relief

 

Hijaba Travels says his company has 27 expired visa owing to the travel ban and pleads with the Ministry to come to their aid.

 

HAJJ REPORTERS sighted some of the expired visas belonging to Raudah and Hamsyl travels pilgrims.

 

Hakeem Olawuyi with a visa number 6075851132 has an expiring date of 7th of January 2022. The validity of the visa is between 8th of December 2021 to 7th of January 2022 having 30days period.

 

Another pilgrims Salisu Zakari with visa number 6075850725 also has an expiring date of 7th of January 2022. Validity date is between 8th of December 2021 to 7th of January 2022. It could be recalled that the flight suspension was announced on the 8th of December 2021.

 

Umar Abdulhadi  said he commended Saudi hajj ministry for always ensure funds not utilized by Tour operators are duly refunded  and expressed hope that Ministry of Hajj will address their challenges before the blessed month of Ramadan.

 

 

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