The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed confidence that robust partnership among agencies involved in the Hajj 2022 operations will engender smooth, safe, and efficient transportation of pilgrims to and from the Saudi Kingdom.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan said it is imperative that stakeholders involved in the Hajj 2022 operation leave no stone unturned in ensuring pilgrims’ comfort all through the exercise.
“We are going all out to make the 2022 Hajj operations from Nigeria significantly different. Various activities had been conducted internally and we want to meet others stakeholders to have synergy for a successful Hajj after the two years hiatus,” Hassan said.
The NAHCON chairman stated this during a working visit to the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu to engage him on measures required for a successful operation.
The visit was in continuation of interaction with various stakeholders involved in the Hajj 2022 operation as the NAHCON boss also met the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu; Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Professor Mansur Matazu; Director Port Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Geoffrey Okatubo; and other relevant sister agencies.
The engagement visit had the Commission Chairman urging the stakeholders to ensure all airports, aircraft, and airspaces were ready before the inaugural flight, even as he tasked them with the provision of the basic health requirements for the Nigerian pilgrims, including the conduct of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, yellow card issuance, and Coronavirus immunisation before departure to avoid delays.
Alhaji Hassan was full of praise for the staff and management of the NCAA and other organisations that are part of the airline screening for doing a commendable job.
In his remarks, the NACA’s Director-General assured pilgrims that all aircraft involved in the Hajj operation would be inspected to ascertain their airworthiness before the commencement of operations.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said the Agency is ready to enforce Hajj regulations, provide the list of flights to be used, and the immigration process.
Similarly, the NIMET Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Professor Matazu said that pre-Hajj inspection would be carried out, just as close monitoring and observation of the weather would be sustained before the take-off of each flight. – NAN
