The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi has emphasised the importance of unity in decision-making among the tour operators.
This, Arabi stressed, is to ensure a streamlined and effective process for Hajj operations.
The NAHCON boss made the assertions on Friday in his remarks during a crucial meeting between the Commission and Private Tour Operators.
…
The meeting according to a press release signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON Assistant Director, Public Affairs, is to address emerging developments in the Hajj sub sector.
Acknowledging the potential challenges arising from varied choices, NAHCON boss advised the travel agents to deliberate and reach a collective decision.
The call for a unified stand, according to Malam Arabi is to prevent unnecessary distractions during Hajj operations when there would be so much operational pressures coming from various legitimate interests.
The meeting, Usara stated, was at the instance of NAHCON’s commitment to a cohesive and well-coordinated approach before embarking on the sacred journey of Hajj.
The Chairman highlighted that, in the absence of a unified stance among the travel operators, NAHCON reserves the right to exercise its veto power to select a service provider that aligns with the overall interest and objectives of the Nigerian Hajj mission, as the body recognized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when issues go wrong.
The height of the meeting was the divergence in decisions, among tour operators regarding their choice of a service provider, Mu’assasa, to work with during the incoming Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.
It should be recalled that the leadership of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria has requested an opportunity to scout for alternative service providers due to the liberalisation of the sector by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
NAHCON had approved the alternative selection, pending approval of the Commission after thorough vetting of draft agreements submitted to NAHCON and after thorough consultation with AHOUN members by their leadership in order to carry their members along.
“These milestones had not been reached when dissenting voices began to re-echo” Usara stated.
AHOUN leadership is expected to meet with its members privately and report back to the Commission on its decision.
Participants at the meeting were drawn from operators under the aegis of AHUON, including the 40 Hajj travel agencies approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to operate in the coming pilgrimage.
