By Fatima Sanda Usara
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) held a virtual meeting with members of Private Tour Operators in Nigeria on 20th September 2024. The meeting was called in preparation for the 2025 Hajj. Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi led the meeting in the Hajj House Boardroom.
Before the virtual meeting with members of the Tour Operator Companies, NAHCON had earlier met with leadership of the Hajj Private sector in Nigeria.
Thus the Commissioner briefed participants on a number of issues among which was outcome of virtual meeting with Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia as well as outcome of meeting with AHOUN leadership.
It would be recalled that Private Tour Operators under the aegis of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON), had express concerns over a number of issues. In response, NAHCON had on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, invited leadership of the Association for an understanding of the matters raised.
With regards to AHOUN’s concern over caution deposit refunds, NAHCON’s Commissioner Operations Prince Anofi Elegushi who chaired the meeting had explained to AHOUN leadership that the caution deposit is meant to compensate any pilgrim with genuine claims of disservice by a Tour Operator.
The normal procedure after every Hajj was for NAHCON to refund pilgrims that did not go for the Hajj from the defaulting company’s caution deposit. Hence, advertisement is first placed in any national daily newspaper inviting complaints from pilgrims.
Then after one month’s expiration of the advertisement, those Companies without any indictment are considered eligible for refunds thus will be invited for reconciliation after which they apply for the refund or roll-over.
Any company found wanting on the other hand will wait for an outcome of investigation to be followed by reconciliation then payment of refund after sending its formal request for that.
Hence, in 2023, out of 241 Tour Operators that deposited the caution deposit of N5million each, 139 requested and received their refunds.
70 companies requested for a roll-over of their deposit to 2024 instead of a refund. The remaining number were those yet to be cleared of allegations and those yet to apply for their refunds or roll over.
As for 2024 refund of caution deposit, the invitation for complaint ended on 10th of August this year after which only 26 companies had applied for refund as at the time of the meeting. The process was still ongoing.
However, due to new developments in the Commission, payment could not be made at that time without an approving officer who was the Chairman/CEO.
Prince Elegushi confirmed during the virtual meeting that many companies have already started reaching their refunds while some have requested for roll-over. He called on those yet to request for refund to do so or roll-over for next Hajj.
On certain offshore plights, Prince Elegushi assured the AHUON leadership that the Commission has been in liaison with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on matters of offshore refunds for services not rendered to Private Tour Operators as well as on paucity of Umrah visas.
These contentious issues, he had assured them, formed part of discussions during the virtual meeting held with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry on 4th of September 2024.
Hopefully, there are strong indications of a headway. He assured concerned AHOUN members that NAHCON will hold further discussions with the Hajj ministry with a view of resolving the issue.
Similarly, to clear up AHUON’s demand for a N20,000,000 share from Hajj Development Levy, Prince Elegushi informed the AHUON representatives that the Commission’s Establishment Act does not recognise cash withdrawal from the levy to pay individuals or organisations.
What the mandate stipulates is funding of projects that will be beneficial to welfare of pilgrims’ and pilgrims’ managers.
As part of new developments relayed to NAHCON by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) during the virtual meeting, the Honorable Commissioner Operations disclosed to the Tour Operators’ and their representatives that the Saudi MoHU had reduced number of lead Tour Operator Companies to conduct the 2025 Hajj from 40 of last year to 20.
Furthermore, the Commissioner promised to present AHUON’s request for reduction of the caution deposit. This is after the group’s earlier request for reduction had been met. However, a member today again asked for further reduction which the Commissioner promised to escalate to management.
The group had also requested for the deposit to be made as Bank Guarantees instead of cash transfer, however, Prince Elegushi advised the members to suspend the request of raising Bank Guarantees this year due to complexities that would demand ironing before implementation.
He however promised that NAHCON will continue working on this option to perfect it. He also suggested that the Bank Guarantee could run alongside cash deposit concurrently.
AHUON President, Alhaji Abdullateef Ekundayo had appreciated NAHCON for holding the meeting.He expressed satisfaction for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues with the Commission as the regulators declaring readiness to accord NAHCON the respect it deserves while the association expects same from the Commission.
Alhaji Ekendayo thanked NAHCON’s Commissioner Operations and requested for an extension of registration deadline. The extension was granted.
Both NAHCON and AHUON recognised their dependability in the conduct of smooth Hajj operations. The two sides resolved to refresh their mutual relationship as stakeholders through consultation and respect for each other’s roles. They both agreed to enhance communication for the sake of harmony.
INVITATION TO PTOs CLAIM OUTSTANDING REFUNDS:
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria calls on any Private Tour Operator with claims of outstanding refund dating back to any period within the Commission’s existence to forward their claims with genuine evidence to the Commission for necessary action.