By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO) that advocates for better policies and monitors Hajj and Umrah activities, has urged the Nigerian Hajj operations community to select the best service providers for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Muhammad for IHR’s Shara Mansur, from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, IHR emphasized that the call is particularly urgent due to the uncertainties in Hajj cost projections and the ongoing massive reconstruction and expansion projects in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Medina.
“We advise the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to create a template for State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Private Hajj Operators to choose the best service providers who will deliver excellent services to Nigerian pilgrims this year,” IHR said in a statement on Friday from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, issued by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed.
IHR acknowledged the challenges NAHCON faces, especially due to instability in its leadership, but argued that the commission would benefit from considering long-term contracts with Saudi-based service providers.
The CSO highlighted that the call for long-term contracts is particularly relevant due to the uncertainty surrounding Hajj cost projections and the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Holy Cities.
“Securing accommodation within a few kilometers of the Haram in Makkah is becoming increasingly competitive,” the statement added.
“Agreeing to a 3-year contract will save the Nigerian Hajj industry from the yearly cycle of traveling to Saudi Arabia to search for, negotiate, and sign contracts with service providers, especially given that Hajj operations are an annual event,” IHR stated.
The organization further explained that searching for service providers annually negatively impacts the quality of services, as providers are uncertain about securing contracts or how many pilgrims they will serve. Serving thousands of pilgrims requires sufficient time for planning, preparation, and certainty.
As an example, IHR noted that Malaysia recently signed a six-year contract with an airline and a three-year agreement with its service providers in Masha’ir.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to sign contracts with Saudi companies in the coming days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“States and private companies should negotiate 3-year contracts to reduce Hajj fares and create stability in Hajj management in Nigeria,” IHR emphasized.
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