The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, AHUON, has decried the increase in the cost of Hajj operation in Nigeria, blaming it on inflation and the unsteady and increasing exchange rates.
The former President of the Association, Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi lamented the impact the economic challenges have on Hajj Operations this year, during its Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital to elect new leadership and discuss the way forward in the Hajj and Umrah operations for the year.
Hajj and Umrah are Islamic pilgrimages embarked on by Muslims the world over, to the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
“We can no longer make forecast or plan even for weekly transactions talk less of monthly or annual plan as we normally do, due to the instability in the forex market.
“We cannot give fares for Umrah packages beyond daily availability due to volatility in prices for both the visas and hotels.
“The changes in the Umrah visa’s regime by the government of Saudi Arabia through the quarter allocation which started earlier than usual this year, has created tension and apprehension in the market.
“Likewise, the changes introduced, on the number of companies to operate Hajj at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the timing for the closure of issuance of Hajj Visa, and the complexity associated with merger and consolidation of companies to work together has added more salt to injury than providing a soothing relief of hope to our members.
“As we gather here today, very few of us can boast that, they would be able to sell all their slots allocation timely to be able to meet the visa closure dateline.”
Alhaji Nasidi said the annual general meeting is an avenue to come together from different backgrounds and orientations, to rub mind, build bridges and share experiences for the betterment of a common goal.
“I therefore, urge members to use this unique opportunity as we converge today to ponder over the future of our business in unison, deliberate on far reaching decisions that will move the Association forward and at the same time, to elect competent people that will build on the foundation laid down by the out-going executive council.
He said the association was facing number of challenges when they came in, three years ago as excos, adding that they almost gave up any hope for a bright future.
“There were squabbles among the three zones which led to under representation at the national exco. Association’s materials and documents were scattered in different offices of members and past excos. There was no bank account in place talk less of having any financial records. Morale was very low, and many members lost confidence in the Association.”
On the achievements recorded so far, Alhaji Nasidi said that he is grateful to God for the progress that was achieved within the period they served despite the onerous challenges they went through.
“We have been able to raise the morale of members across the three zones and wooed new members to join the Association.
“We have been able to unite members under a common purpose as exemplified by the on-going consolidation efforts and the desire shown by members to now share common services and work together unlike before. We build very strong ties with the past and present National Hajj Commission, NAHCON management based on mutual respect and fiducial relation.
“AHUON is now a force to reckon with both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia as several institutions are showing willingness to transact business with us.We are now proud owners of a bank account at the national level with positive balances to enable the incoming excos start on good footing.
“It’s no longer news that our well equipped and fully staffed secretariat provide a one stop solution to the myriad of communication record keeping problems we had faced in the past.
“Our zones are now stronger and compete fairly with each other to deliver good governance to our members. Kano has achieved strong milestone in unifying its membership. Abuja has been stronger in its financial position and Lagos is now a proud owner of a permanent secretariat.”
In his goodwill message, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Malam Jalal Arabi who was represented by NAHCON Director Inspectoral and compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti congratulated the outgoing president of the AHUON on the successful completion of his tenure and commended his style of leadership of always being ready to serve the members.
