2017 Hajj: NAHCON Saves $12.3m From Direct Contracts

                                               Nigeria Pilgrims Accommodation in Madina during the 2016 Hajj 

Leadership 

Ahead of the commencement of the 2017 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for hajj rites, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that its direct contract negotiation with landlords in the holy city of Medina has saved Nigeria about $12.3m.

The executive chairman of the commission, Barrister Abdullahi Mukthar Muhammad made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Voice of Nigeria (VON) corporate headquarters in Abuja.
He said the elimination of proxies or agents, meant that intending Nigerian pilgrims for this year’s hajj are expected to pay SAR 616 (equivalent of $164) less for accommodation in Madina.

In a press statement issued yesterday by Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki, information officer at the NAHCON, Mukthar assured that the commission would not only strive to ensure pilgrims have full value for their money through improved service delivery but also halt capital flight.

He also said that there would no longer be uniform hajj fare in the states, saying hajj fare will henceforth be determined by the quality of service provided by each state, location and quality of the accommodation and commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for being a leading light in securing the right price for its accommodation in
Makkah.

He, therefore, enjoined other State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to take a cue from Armed Forces by ensuring beneficial negotiation with accommodation providers in Makkah which he said ultimately will remove state government argumentation of pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah.