By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, MPWB, feeding subcommittee of 2024 Hajj exercise has moved to ensure that food vendors entrusted with the supply of meals for Pilgrims in Makkah , strictly adhere to hygiene and sanitation rules.
The visit was also aimed at strengthening monitoring and supervision of the services towards protecting the interest of the FCT pilgrims contingents in the Holy Land of kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Interacting with management of the contracting company, the Director of the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Adamu Evuti while expressing satisfaction with the quality of the services being provided, urged them to sustain the spirit.
Evuti used the opportunity to present few observations raised by the pilgrims regarding the tests and aroma of the food.
He however assured the Pilgrims that the Board will continue to ensure that the proper things are done to ensure Pilgrims get good and acceptable meals in line with the best standards.
He said ,” Alhamdulillah, we came to see kitchen for ourselves where the food for FCT pilgrims are been prepared and packaged. Our intentions of coming here is to see things for ourselves, that the food given to our pilgrims in terms of quality and quantity is satisfiable to what was agreed upon with the cooks.”
” It is not only about the quality and quantity but also to ensure the menu which we have provided for them is strictly adhered to, because these are Nigerians who are in another country. We want them to eat the foods that they’re familiar with and by ensuring that such menus are strictly provided.”
The Director insisted that the team were there essentially to see things for themselves and ensure that everything is done according to the menu that was given to the caterers.
Earlier, the Head of Unit, Pilgrims Welfare Services of the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajiya Zainab Mohammed who is heading the Kitchen For Catering service in Mecca expressed commitment to adherence to the specification in line with menu given to the caterers.
According to Hajia Mohammed, in the Menu for Pilgrims includes tuwo semo once in a week, tuwo shinkafa with miya taushe once in a week, we have jollof rice, fried rice Indian rice, then we also have rice and beans.
“Before we have tuwo two times in a week but now we have changed it to one a week that is rice and beans with soup, then we have white rice with spices with either meat, fish or beef and fresh fruits. ”
Earlier, the Chief Caterers, Mr Mustapha Musa thereafter commended Director of the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board and his team for intensifying supervision to ensure quality service is delivered.