The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) has secured the sum of Five Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Thirty-Three Saudi Riyals, equivalent to over One-Hundred and Seven Million Naira from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the poor feeding services rendered by the Company of Mutawwifs for Pilgrims from Africa and Non-Arab Countries.
Mutawwifs are appointees by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj, responsible for taking care of Pilgrims from Africa and Non-Arab Countries.
According to a statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki, the development is sequel to several letters written and consistent reminder by the Commission to the company on the poor feeding services rendered to Nigerian Pilgrims during their stay in Mina and Arafat.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Ahmad Bin Abbas Sindi to the NAHCON Chairman dated 18th December, 2022 reads:
“Reference to your letter no: NAHCON/ AN43 dated 10/07/2022, regarding the poor quality of service and in order for the Company to maintain the National relationship between us, the sum of S R542, 033 (Five Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand Thirty-Three Saudi Riyals) has been deducted from the amount of the Masha’ir feeding contract.”
It would be recalled that the 2022 Hajj was marred by poor services rendered by the Mutawwifs to the Nigerian Pilgrims during the 5-day peak of Hajj in Mina and Arafat.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Zikhrullah Kunle Hassan said that the development was heart-warming, as it has vindicated the Commission’s tenacious struggle to right the wrongs done to Nigerian Pilgrims during the Hajj by the Mutawwifs, especially in the feeding arrangement and the quality of services rendered during the period.
“I really want to thank my counterparts from the Mutawwifs for this role in ensuring that they refunded the money paid for services not rendered or poorly delivered.”
