By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that it was set to seal a fresh deal that would see all pilgrims from the private sector that paid to be airlifted by Arik Air securely in Saudi Arabia as planned.

Assistant Director, Public Affairs of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, while reacting to the delay in airlifting private pilgrims, in a statement on Sunday, June 18, 2023, said information reaching the Commission from the Private Tour Operators’ sector, especially from the Lagos axis, called for concern.

According to the statement, the Commission was not unaware of the situation and had, before now, deployed all its resources to arrest the situation before it turned irredeemable.

“NAHCON is about to seal a fresh deal that would see all pilgrims from the private sector that paid to be airlifted by Arik Air securely in Saudi Arabia as planned.

“Indeed, NAHCON entered agreement with Arik Air to transport about 7,000 pilgrims registered with the private travel agencies for the 2023 Hajj. Arik, on its part, signed the deal with a Saudi-based airline to ferry its allocation using two aircraft to be stationed in Lagos, Kano and Abuja.

“The said airline actually provided the agreed aircraft but having conveyed the first set of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, it never returned to finish its job. This led to pilgrims feeling abandoned.

“In fairness to both Arik and its partner, funds that were supposed to be advanced for the engagement was yet to be released at the time of airlift, due to certain financial restrictions, a development that crippled the agreement despite NAHCON’s assurances.

The commission advised intending pilgrims at Lagos departure center that began some agitations to remain calm and await their airlift to Saudi Arabia soonest.”

The Commission also said so far, it has injected resources to keep the contract alive; as well as exploring other options of engaging more local and foreign airlines to conclude the airlift of private tour operators’ pilgrims.

“The discussions have been positive with a couple of them about to sign agreements for the movement to continue,” the statement added.

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