In preparation of the 2019 Hajj, The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) today commenced the screening of air carriers for the 2019 Hajj airlift. The opening event of the screening exercise took place yesterday, 5th February, 2019 at the Stonehedge Hotel, Abuja.
NAHCON is saddled with responsibility of inaugurating a committee saddled for the assessment of the applications submitted by airlines wishing to convey Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabi for the 2019 Hajj exercise.
The spokesperson of NAHCON, Fatima Usara, stated that apart from selecting the suitable air carriers, the committee will also be responsible for selecting the cargo freighters for the 2019 Hajj.
According to Fatima Usara, the committee has NAHCON’s Commissioner Operations, Modibbo Saleh, as the chairman, other members of the committee has been drawn from representatives of Chief Executives of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, NAHCON Board members, Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, customs, financial crimes institutions and the aviation industry.
NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Muhammad, in a opening remarks ceased the opportunity to inform all the members of the committee the importance of their responsibilities. He stated that the members of the committee should do their job bearing in mind the trust imposed on them by the pilgrim who are going to use the air carriers that will make the final list of shortlisted airlines.
The spokesperson of NAHCON, Fatima Usara, advises the members of the committee to strictly insist on the selection of the best airlines on behalf of the pilgrims who will bear the brunt of the actions if the right thing is not done at this selection period.
According to Fatima Usara, a total of seven (7) air carriers have so far applied to the commission to convey the pilgrims to the 2019 Hajj. She also stated that the commission has commenced the screening exercise of the air carriers.
Barrister Muhammad congratulated all the air carriers who has declared their interest to participate in the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Land (Saudi Arabia) for the 2019 Hajj and urged them to take in good faith any outcome of the screening exercise as the committee responsible for the selection of the air carrier for the 2019 Hajj exercise will stick in totality to the criteria crafted by the different sister sectors of government in determining those carriers that will qualify.
NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Muhammad however advise those who may not scale through the screening to explore the possibility of doing business with Private Tour Operators in conveying their pilgrims numbering up to 20,000 for the 2019 Hajj as this will reduce the hitches experienced yearly during the Hajj exercise.