Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation, has tasked the approved air carriers for Hajj 2016 to brace up for an efficient services delivery to pilgrims.

This was contained in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, and issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

The group said: “Last week, the Federal Government approved six air carriers to airlift Nigeria pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 hajj exercise, according to the statement released by the Spokesman of NAHCON.

“It listed the carriers as Med-view Airlines Limited, Max Air Limited, Dornier Aviation Nigeria AEP Limited, Top Brass, AZMAN Air Services and Fly-Nas Air (Saudi Arabia designated carrier). It added that the government had approved two companies to airfreight pilgrims’ excess cargo during the exercise namely NAHCO Aviance and Medview International Travels and Cargo.

“While we congratulate the air carriers for scaling through the water tight screening process adopted by the federal government, we equally urge them to ensure that they delivered an efficient service delivery to our dear pilgrims.”

“We also want to remind the air carriers that the era of keeping pilgrims waiting beyond internationally accepted time is over. Therefore, air carriers should consolidate on the achievement recorded last year by airlifting pilgrims to and fro before officially scheduled date.”

Independent Hajj Reporters promised to deploy its members to all NAHCON-approved departure points across the country, adding that it will take all necessary steps to safe guard the interests of pilgrims throughout this year’s hajj exercise.

The statement also challenge NAHCON to uphold its policies of subjecting air carriers to fulfill their contractual obligation like issue of paying compensation to pilgrims whenever it is due to them. The NGO said it is ready to work with the Inspectorate, Evaluation and Compliance Committee (IECC) of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to ensure that Hajj Service Providers fulfill their contractual obligation to pilgrims.

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