The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) has called on the Federal Government to put in place inter ministerial panel to review the 2024 Hajj activities to ensure sanity in future Hajj
President of AHOUN
Alhaji AbdulLateef Ekundayo yusuf
In a statement demanded that
the Mutawwif (Ithra Alkhair) should immediately reconcile with members of the association to refund every single service that wasn’t provided both in Muna and Arafat for this year because of their actions and inactions.
The statement reads in parts “they should also refund with immediate effect, all our outstanding claims for unutilized visas for the 2022 Hajj and the failed service provision for last year’s Hajj (2023). We are determine not to let any of our members loss a dime for services paid and not enjoyed.
“With the new policy of government withdrawal of subsidy on Hajj matters, we wish to call on NAHCON to stop all charges on our members including the dollar equivalent we pay as service fees.
“While we agreed that NAHCON has the right to charge licensing fees, we believe the Hajj license is the most expensive of any licensing regime in Nigeria. How can anyone justify a fee of N1m for a license that has only 2-month validity.
“What happen to the component of the international pilgrims out of the N90b approved Hajj subsidy. Aren’t they Nigerians?
“Our members deserve the right for official visa during Hajj operation, because the Ministry of Hajj provide such as a percentage of the total allocation to Nigeria. Some of the problem our pilgrims face during Hajj can be easily addressed by us if we can move freely.
“The need to investigate the laws and acts that regulates Hajj affairs is very urgent and we implore those saddle with such responsibilities to act now to safeguard the Nigerian Pilgrims.
“Finally, we call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency set up an inter-ministerial and credible panel to review this year’s Hajj activity with the aim of restoring sanity into the future the operation.
“We wish to appeal to those Pilgrims that suffered avoidable stress and trauma because of this event to accept our deep regrets and apologies. We pray Allah reward them for their good intentions to visit His Sacred House. We implore them to bear with our members for the refund of their monies pending on the resolution of the issue with NAHCON and the Mutawwif.
“As a credible body we will ensure our bona fide members do the right things by negotiating best terms for the refund of their customers’ money.”.
END.
