CSO asks NAHCON to consider reducing Saudi-based service providers

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation, has asked the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to consider reducing the number of Saudi-based service providers.

IHR also sent a similar appeal to the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies (SMPWBAs).

Ibrahim Muhammad, national coordinator of the organisation, in a statement on Tuesday, said the reduction of the service providers would create room for effective coordination and impactful supervision of pilgrims.

The organisation also urged NAHCON to sign long-term contracts with Saudi Arabia-based hajj service providers to bring down the rising cost of hajj caused by forex shortage.

“Liaising with over 20 or more service providers during Hajj creates multiple operational challenges for the apex Hajj regulatory body and inhibits the smooth process of systematisation,” the statement reads.

“For example, one or two accommodation and catering service providers can serve the entire Northern pilgrims given that they share common culture and traditions, especially in the areas of menu and tastes.

“One or two others can provide similar service for southern pilgrims using the same parameters.

“Countries with a higher number of pilgrims such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and India utilise fewer service providers and it is the reason why they have efficient crises management control system during Hajj operations.

“The new Hajj calendar has shortened the pre-Hajj preparation period thereby giving Hajj participating countries little or no time to be travelling twice or more to negotiate for yearly Hajj services with service providers.

“More importantly, signing long-term agreements with service providers such as accommodation, catering, and car syndicate providers will create stability in Hajj fare templates and also allow such service providers to map out long-term planning which will result in efficient service delivery to Nigerian pilgrims.

“For example, Malaysian Tambung Hajj last week signed a long-term contract with Saudi companies as a way of reducing costs of Hajj fare which allows Tambung Hajj to deliver good services to pilgrims at reduced costs.”