Hope rises for Nigerian pilgrims

If ongoing accommodation negotiations for Hajj 2018 is anything to go by, there is hope that the cost of 2018 Hajj package will go down. This disclosure followed a brief interview with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)’s commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance (PPMF), Dr. Yusuf Adebayo Ibrahim, in his office in Makkah.  Dr. Adebayo who is also the leader of an accommodation inspection and negotiation team for 2018 Hajj, revealed that though their assignment was still inconclusive thus he cannot give definite figures. However, the coast  is certainly clear and many puzzles beclouding accommodation charges are being unraveled. He informed that one of the focal objectives of his team’s visit to Makkah was to see how accommodation could be secured at a cheaper rate without compromising standards and he was happy to inform that this is being achieved.

The commissioner and his team were said to have deployed hard-line but tactical methods in beating down costs of many accommodation facilities which had hitherto been hired at more expensive rates. One of the methods which they used to achieve this was by not foreclosing their deals to only their prequalified accommodation providers but by expanding the competition to include direct linkage with landlords and other providers willing to offer standard accommodation at less prices. This realization had forced many of NAHCON’s customary providers to reduce their costs instead of losing out completely. The commissioner informed that this had been NAHCON’s practice in Madinah which was yielding favorable results and that he was hopeful that despite the newly introduced 5% Value Added Tax charge, Nigerian pilgrims would finally find succor from any hike in fares.

 Moreover, the PPMF is optimistic that other avenues will be explored to ensure that Hajj costs are cut so that Nigeria can enjoy the slot allocated to her for 2018 Hajj. These options will be studied immediately his team concludes its assignment and returns home wherefrom other stakeholders will be invited in order to put heads together to see what else can be touched in this drive to reduce Hajj fares. He added that so far, each lodging is being bargained on its own merit.

Similarly, in an earlier meeting with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards representatives, Alhaji Adebayo had advised them to review costs of those services directly under their purview to see what amount they can squeeze out in the interest of their pilgrims. He informed that this year’s Hajj fare will not be uniform therefore states can choose to identify in solidarity with their pilgrims by striking deals with their service providers to offer  discounts on those utilities which they render. He had reminded them that reducing Hajj fares is a collective responsibility and they must play their own roles. The committee is expected to conclude its assignment this weekend,

Usara writes from NAHCON media unit