One of the Muslim Faithfuls partaking in this year’s hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, Honourable Lekan Afuye has suggested that the body handling Hajj operations in Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) should be unbundled for administrative convenience and better performance.
Honourable Afuye, while was speaking in his hotel in Makkah, noted that NAHCON as it is presently constituted, cannot perform satisfactorily and excellently.
He pointed out that hajj operations in the country are marred by bureaucratic bottlenecks which prevent NAHCON from performing satisfactorily.
Afuye, a former Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government council in Oyo State stated that the inefficiency of NAHCON is responsible for a lot of difficulties and hardships being experienced by Nigerian pilgrims.
“The accommodations in Mina where over 600 pilgrims are housed in one tent, with scores of others sleeping outside under a blistering sun for three days is unhealthy. Also, feeding South West pilgrims with Northern delicacies is unsatisfactory. South West caterers should be contracted to serve Yoruba pilgrims with their traditional foods. There’s also a need for improvement in the pilgrims’ accessibility to standard medical services. More ambulances and medical facilities should be provided for the use of pilgrims”, Honourable Afuye said.
“I lived in the U.S for over three decades. American Muslims also perform hajj but never experienced this horrible situation to which Nigerian pilgrims are subjected. The pitiable condition of Nigerian pilgrims should be ended, enough is enough”, the former Local Government boss added.
He suggested that hajj operations in Nigeria should be decentralized and deregulated.
“The concentration of all responsibilities for hajj operations in Nigeria in the hands of NAHCON should be reviewed. Hajj operations should be decentralized and deregulated. Some responsibilities should be delegated to state pilgrim boards and experienced travel agencies. NAHCON should handle flight and visa arrangements while states and travel agencies be allowed to handle accommodations, catering services and transportation of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia”, Honourable Afuye posited.
The seasoned politician also stressed the need for Hajj officials to hire tour guides to take the pilgrims to important sites in the holy lands and also guide them in performing various hajj rites.
He then suggested that Nigerians studying and residing in Saudi Arabia should be engaged for such purposes.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
