TheCable

The Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR), a civil society organisation (CSO), says the recent formation of the Saudi-based service providers will prevent problems of insufficient feeding and accommodation in the 2024 hajj exercise.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ibrahim Mohammed, IHR national coordinator, commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for establishing the group.

Mohammed said the development would enhance easy engagement and communication between NAHCON and service providers in Saudi during the 2024 hajj.

He said it would also ensure transparency and efficiency in the service delivery to pilgrims, and eradicate challenges of insufficient tents and accommodation among other issues.

“Interacting and interfacing with multiple service providers at the same time creates human resources and logistics challenges to NAHCON, especially during offshore operations,” the statement reads.

“About 15 to 20 different hajj service providers are serving 36 states from the same country and NAHCON is obligated to meet with all of them thus creating serious challenges in oversight and supervisory issues.

“With this group in place, NAHCON only needs to interface with the leadership and communicate effectively.

“That is why NAHCON creates different committees to coordinate and manage different services like feeding, accommodation, airlifts, movement of pilgrims to and from Masha’ir, health services, inspectorate evaluation and compliance and other administrative duties.

“Just like AHUON, NAHCON can now communicate to the Saudi-based service providers via their leadership, especially in the areas of quality of services.”

Mohammed praised the group for appointing Musa Jibril, chairman and chief executive officer of Shuraka’a Alkhair group, as its leader.

“With record successes of serving Nigerian pilgrims for decades during Hajj and with the associated supports he has rendered to many of his clients, we believe Alh. Musa Hamid has the capacity and experience to lead the group in serving Nigerian pilgrims effectively and efficiently,” he added.

“It is our belief that Musa Hamid will deploy his vast expertise in leading other companies within the group to provide commensurate services to our dear pilgrims and ensure that they provide a conducive and memorable environment to our pilgrims in the holy land.”