Hajj Reporters
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that plans are underway to establish desk offices in some airports in the country.
This revelation came after the management of NAHCON held a meeting with members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON) to address issues of relevance to their operations on Thursday.
In a statement Friday by Fatima Sanda Usara, Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON, the AHOUN officials were briefed that the opening of the desk offices would happen after seeking and getting approval from the airport authorities.
The desk officers, according to the statement, would be at the airports to ensure welfare of pilgrims in a bid to forestall being treated unfairly and to enforce any policy agreements between pilgrims and their service providers.
Additionally, the statement explained, the desk officers would be at the airports as liaison officers to support tour operators and solve minor problems where manageable.
The statement added that among the other items discussed is the restructuring of zonal and outreach offices for convenience and necessity for them to liaise with the zonal and outreach offices in lodging complaints or seeking clarification.
It was also resolved that the Commission will liaise with Primary Healthcare Agency to reserve COVID-19 vaccines for tour operators’ pilgrims.
“They were also briefed on new data collation system for Umrah pilgrims, review of guarantor charges to one million Naira instead of 5000 dollars as penalty for visa violation, withholding of caution deposit and other guidelines.
“Present at the meeting were the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management and Finance ; Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai, Board member representing Ministry of Health, Pharm. Zainab Ujudud Sheriff and other NAHCON members. Others are the AHUON president Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi Suleiman, AHUON EXCO members, representatives of Licensed Tour Operators, management and other staff of NAHCON,” the statement reads in parts.
