NAHCON upholds approval of 40 Private Tour Operators for 2024 Hajj after initial pause
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has upheld the approval of 40 private tour operators for 2024 Hajj after an initial pause to address protests by those that could not scale the selection hurdles.
NAHCON disclosed this update on Wednesday evening in a press statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, it’s Asst. Director, Public Affairs.
According to the statement, “On 13th of December 2023, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) paused allocation of Hajj seats to Private Tour Operators following some complaints it received over selection of the 40 operators approved to run the 2024 Hajj under the private sector.
“In the spirit of inclusivity and receptiveness, NAHCON granted the complainants the benefit of doubt by conducting investigation into their petitions.
“At the end of the probe, NAHCON and other stakeholders are convinced and pleased to announce that the objections raised were not sufficient to overturn the qualification of the 40 approved operators for the 2024 Hajj. The qualified companies convincingly met the laid down criteria vis-à-vis
a. Capacity of operation;
b. Years of experience;
c. Historical antecedents; and
d. Clean bill of operation.
“Accordingly, the selection of the 40 companies is affirmed to be impartial, aligning with established criteria.
“Consequently, the remaining 70 successful companies have already proceeded with mergers alongside the approved 40.
“In its statutory role as the supervisor, NAHCON has urged the companies entering into agreements to forward to the Commission copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other legal documents binding them into the business for perusal and documentation.
“NAHCON remains committed in carrying all its stakeholders along. In accordance therefore, the NAHCON Chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi reassures its intending pilgrims that his leadership is determined to ensure that the 2024 Hajj fare remains within the N4,500,000 threshold and not above.
“The Commission appreciates the support it has been receiving from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President Kashim Shettima in bolstering hope of the Commission’s primary clients, the pilgrims, as well as all other stakeholders.
” Malam Arabi revealed that NAHCON will announce the final Hajj fare as soon as it finalizes negotiations with service providers and other relevant government agencies involved in Hajj matters.”
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