The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has pledged to address legitimate concerns raised by the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, AHUON.
The Assistant Director, Public Affairs of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Usara said the Commission was concerned about the directive by the association to its members to suspend participation in the 2025 Hajj preparations.
“While we acknowledge the issues raised regarding accumulated refunds, it is important to clarify that NAHCON has been in continuous communication with AHOUN on this matter.
“The delay in resolving certain financial issues stems from the complexities of hajj operations, which involve multiple stakeholders both locally and internationally, including Saudi authorities.
”NAHCON wishes to reassure AHOUN and the general public that the commission has no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds.
”On September 24, 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,” she said.
According to her, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah directed that only 20 lead companies would organise hajj from Nigeria for ease of coordination and proper regulation.
She advised the leadership of the association and its members to allow ongoing arrangements to yield the desired results without impeding the timely planning of the 2025 hajj operations.
The association had announced the suspension of activities related to 2025 hajj due to the failure of NAHCON to pay some refunds to its members.
The President of AHOUN, Abdullateef Ekundayo, said the decision was necessary to ensure that all its requests before NAHCON are duly met especially those related to accumulated refunds.
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