NAN-H-65
Support
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Aug. 2, 2017 (NAN) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has solicited for the support and cooperation of stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free 2017 Hajj.
The NAHCON Zonal Coordinator in Kano, Alhaji Umar Bala, made the call during a Stakeholders’ Operational Meeting in Kano on Wednesday.
Bala said the call was necessary in order to ensure the success of the entire Hajj operation both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
“I wish to solicit for your support and cooperation to achieve the desired objective,” he said.
He also called on the stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order ‘on ease of doing business’, as according to him, Hajj operation is not an exception.
“I wish to refer this meeting to the recently signed Presidential Executive Order as it affects the aviation sector.We, the Hajj operators, will fully comply with the order.
The zonal coordinator assured that the commission would cooperate with the state pilgrims welfare boards to ensure that the transportation of the pilgrims to the Holy land was successful.
He commended the Saudi Consulate General for the number of visas it had so far issued to intending pilgrims from the zone and other states in the country.
“We hope that with this development, the issuance of the visas will be completed in the near future,” Bala said.
He said three air carriers – Azman Air, Max Air and Flynass Air were expected to transport the intending pilgrims from the zone to the Holy land.
He disclosed that facilities such as accommodation, transportation and other logistics had been improved in Saudi Arabia to ensure maximum comfort for the pilgrims.
“This is in line with NAHCON’s vision to provide efficient and effective services to the pilgrims in the Holy land.
The Director of Operations, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmed Garba, said the state had concluded 95 per cent pregnancy test for its female intending pilgrims .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was also attended by officials of pilgrims welfare boards from Bauchi and Jigawa states.
Other stakeholders that attended the meeting include: representatives of the three airlines; NAMA; NCAA; NIMET; FAAN; NAFDAC as well as various security agencies. (NAN)
MTM/AMY/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf