The National Association of Hajj/Umrah Tour Operators of Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to assist its members in the deposition of their 2024 Hajj funds in Saudi Arabia.
This is even as the President expressed serious concern that the 2024 Hajj would be operated under a very exorbitant price of N6 million as against the 2023 fare of N3 million, due to problems of Foreign Exchange and other vital issues.
The President of the Association, Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi made the call while speaking during the 2024 Hajj sensitisation Seminar, with a theme, ‘Hajj 2024 New Challenges, Boundless Opportunity’ on Wednesday, in Kano.
Nasidi said, “Although we have been in the business 15 years back, we have not been getting forex from government but we are still doing our businesses as we get Forex from markets.
“We are afraid of what will happen now if the government does not come in and subsidize the Forex for us.”
While disclosing the perceived challenges Nasidi added, “Another problem is the cost of Hajj this year (2024) last year (2023) we operated at N3 million now we will operate at N6 million. That is why we are calling on those who want to perform Hajj this year (2024) to endeavor to pay their Hajj fare as early as possible.”
The President warned that if by the end of November 2023, one does not pay his fare, he has to just be preparing for 2025, because this time Saudi has come up with a policy as the whole issues of Hajj including issuance of visas must be completed in April 2024.
“So if payment is not made one can’t get Visa and can’t travel, so the problem is from all angles in addition to the Forex issue. This is a problem that even if we are going to get it from outside, we still need to transfer it as an offshore payment,” he said.
He also appealed to NAHCON to get operators a window to send their money to Saudi, “because there is a lot of problems, Money Laundering and so many regulations one can’t send a hundred thousand through the banks so many problems,” he said.
Nasidi added, “We want the Government and the Public to understand we are one big stakeholders and economic contributors for this country. They should see us transparent every other person is seeing tour operator as a crook.
“This year is terrible, however, there is the positive side. Last year we had 276 operators that went to Saudi but this year we are having only ten. According to Saudi arrangements now only 10 operators would transport the 20,000 pilgrims allocated to us.
“That is we must merge to become stronger that is the positive site but other problems is that how do we handle 20,000 we were used to handling 100-200 but now 20,000, companies must come together and Transport 2000 per one company which merged.”
He said the new NAHCON Chairman must give them listening ears that will lead him to success because if he failed they also failed.
The Deputy National President in Charge of Hajj, Alhaji AbdulJaleel Olori-Aje, said, “Our main problem is time constraints. We are to round up in about two months. This is the first time Hajj is coming in this fashion.”
