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FILE PHOTO: Nigerian Hajj pilgrims in Ihram clothing
The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria has asked its members to suspend preparatory activities for the 2025 Hajj exercise, over the failure of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to pay accumulated refunds.
National President of AHUON, Abdullateef Ekundayo, gave the directive in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Ekundayo urged members who had made payments for the 2025 Hajj not to submit until a counter directive was given, while also asking members who had submitted forms and made payments to send the names of their companies to the Zonal Vice President.
According to the statement, NAHCON did not respond to letters of request submitted by the Association until Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, with the excuse that Hajj processing should not be delayed in line with the Saudi Hajj calendar. The statement described this as the commission’s usual tactic over the issue.
“Dear esteemed members of our great association, it is with a deep sense of responsibility that we write to issue this directive that all actions for the Hajj 2025 preparation be suspended until further notice. Members who have made payment for the Hajj 2025 form should not submit it until a counter directive is given. Members who have collected the form submitted it and made payments should send the name of their company to the zonal VP.
“The NEC has met with our BOT members, and we all agreed that this action is necessary to ensure that all our requests before NAHCON are duly met, especially our accumulated refunds over the years. It is worthy of note that NAHCON responded to our several letters of request only on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, giving an excuse that Hajj processing should not be delayed to align with the Saudi Hajj calendar. This, to us, is their usual tactics over the years with regards to the issues of accumulated refunds with them and can no longer be tolerated”, the statement read.
In a counter statement signed by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, for the Acting Chairman, NAHCON urged the association not to derail plans for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
The commission noted that it remained committed to addressing all legitimate concerns while reassuring AHUON and the public that the Commission had no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has noted with concern the recent directive by the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria instructing their members to suspend participation in 2025 Hajj preparations. NAHCON wishes to reassure AHOUN and the general public that the commission has no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds. On 24th September 2024, NAHCON communicated with AHOUN regarding the urgency of aligning with the Saudi Hajj calendar to avoid disruptions in the 2025 Hajj preparations, a position we still maintain as critical.
“Recently, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah directed that only 20 lead companies would organize Hajj from Nigeria for ease of coordination and proper regulation. However, in good faith, NAHCON has agreed to mergers and consolidation to allow all interested parties to remain in business but with the interest of serving pilgrims satisfactorily in mind. Thus, as regulators, NAHCON strongly believes that open dialogue and continued collaboration are the best ways to resolve these matters without causing unnecessary disruptions that could affect the pilgrims and operators alike. NAHCON remains open to further discussions with AHOUN to iron out any lingering concerns and work towards a swift resolution,” the statement read.
NAHCON also said that its doors were open for discussions while advising the leadership of AHUON and its members to allow ongoing arrangements to yield results without impeding the timely plans and preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations.
