NAHCON Explains Exclusion Of Private Tour Operators From N90 Billion Hajj Fund

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has explained reasons behind its decision to leave out the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and their pilgrims in the N90 billion intervention fund by the federal government, during the 2024 Hajj operations.

The agency, which said 153 Ulama (Islamic scholars) were insufficient as guides for over 50,000 pilgrims, also vowed that it would not hesitate to apply the rule on any stakeholder, including the Private Tour Operators (PTOs), when the pilgrims’ interest is being compromised.

NAHCON Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Malam Jalal Ahmed Arabi, stated this Monday during a post-Hajj world press conference in Abuja.

At the media parley, the NAHCON boss also clarified issues around Tent A and the meal served pilgrims during the exercise.

Providing insights into the N90 billion intervention fund, he said, it was originally meant for pilgrims from all tiers and not businessmen.

He said: “AHUON sent a request for its members to also benefit from the government’s intervention since they were also affected by the escalating exchange rate. Firstly, Federal Government had requested NAHCON to give pilgrims under government quota priority in the N90 billion intervention because pilgrims under this category are the ones that had been depositing their Hajj fare for long for the pilgrimage.

“Secondly, the Commission reasoned with the PTOs that they are businessmen and women in the pilgrimage sector whose clients are mostly from the affluent in the society. Hence, the Commission as advised stood its ground that the 90 billion Naira intervention approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was an initiative that primarily targeted pilgrims under the government quota whose financial statuses are not as strong. AHUON protested.”

Recalling the event that necessitated the intervention, he said “by the final deadline of 12th February 2024, the unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates had totally complicated matters, necessitating fresh adjustment of the year’s Hajj fare from the initially announced N4.9m. The financial projection after the foreign exchange liberalization was that each pilgrim would have to top up about 3.6 million Naira in addition to the initial payment.

“The situation impelled urgent intervention. Recogni6zing the gravity of the situation NAHCON promptly engaged with the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of the high cost of the foreign currency with an appeal for government to approve a concessionary rate of N850 as exchange rate for the Dollar component of the Hajj fare. That appeal was further amplified by other reputable stakeholders in the project. We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90 billion Naira instead.

“How to spread this N90 billion equitably, to such a degree that registered pilgrims would not have to pay additionally to the N4. 9m, was tough. At first, the 90 billion Naira would only cater conveniently for about 18,000 intending pilgrims out of the about 50,000 duly registered persons as at 22nd March 2024.

new registrants were asked to pay N8, 454,464.74 being exempted from the Federal Government’s intervention. It is on record that eligible officials and stakeholders from all tiers of government enjoyed the subsidy from the N90 billion.”

Responding to the question on the number of ad-hoc and regular staff in the face of scarce resources, Arabi said: “If there is any major stakeholder required to guide pilgrims in justifying the billions spent to realise this life-time ambition, it is the Ulama.

“They (pilgrims) need guidance, let us be sincere. That’s without prejudice to those (Ulama) from the states. 153 to over 50, 000 pilgrims, not much. If you ask me, I tell you 1,000 will not be enough. For the first time, we had Ulama sacrificing for the Hajj this year. They got one quarter of what they were always paid.”

On the Commission’s relationship with the PTOs, the NAHCON helmsman said, “we do not have adversaries among the tourist operators. We are working towards the same goal, we all operate as a team. Hajj is a project, not competition. There are rules, and we won’t hesitate to apply the rules where pilgrims are being cheated. We have asked those with grievances to come up with same, and where anyone is found wanting, the rule will apply. Of course, those accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves.”