PMB Tells NAHCON To Address Corruption In Hajj, Umrah

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) should address all corrupt actions that had devalued Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria according to the order of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nigeria’s leader was speaking while receiving members of NAHCON, led by the Chairperson, Abdullahi Mukhtar, at Aso Rock villa.
Buhari also asked inter-agency cooperation between the Commission and other similar agencies to
address the problems and threat of corrupt-related practices.
He said the president had ordered that such actions should be obstructed forthwith.
The chairman added that such practices comprised the matter of pilgrims paying for services not rendered to them.
Mukhtar said in some suits, those who did not have the chance to perform the Hajj or Umrah at all end up losing their money.
The prohibited operators that are not licenced to carry out the activities of either Umrah or Hajj, still playing around and carrying out the activities with impunity also will be addressed.
The chairman also said that Buhari had authorized carriers for the 2015 pilgrimage, continuing that the list would be sent to states for them to select the airlines of their choice.
The airlines comprise Max Air, Medview Airlines, Kabo Air, Planet Air, Skypower Express, Dornier Aviation, Top Brass and Hak Air.
His words: “So with this meeting, it is clear that preparations for 2015 Hajj has reached its climax.
“Also, Mr President had directed that we should comply with all regulations laid out by Saudi government to ensure the success of 2015 Hajj.’’
“The Federal Government normally takes responsibility for providing medicals, security services and consular services to pilgrims and that is exactly what the government will do this year.’’
It should be noted that so far, Buhari’s discussion of his plans on corruption has been politically pragmatic, though not always consistent. Most famously, he and his team have repeatedly stated that they will “draw a line” – meaning that they will consider past offenses off limits for investigations and prosecutions.