The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned Licensed Tour Companies (LTCs) against unethical activities during Hajj and Umrah.
NAHCON’s chairman Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad gave the warning in Abuja at a meeting with private tour operators to review the 2018 Hajj operations and preparations for 2019.
He said some private tour operators allow themselves to be used in unwholesome practices during the spiritual activities in Saudi Arabia.
He therefore urged them to be more vigilant and to tighten the loopholes that allowed such activities to take place.
He reiterated the need to cooperate with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia government in curtailing the embarrassing situation.
He advised operators to study and abide by Saudi Arabian Hajj and Umrah guidelines.
Similarly, the NAHCON chair also charged them to remain sincerely committed to their clients by rendering to them standard services according to terms and conditions collectively agreed upon.
On remittance of funds for Hajj registration, it was agreed that doing this belatedly is detrimental to welfare of pilgrims since it takes a minimum of three weeks for NAHCON to transfer funds to the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting commended Saudi government and its missions in Nigeria for the successful handling of 2018 Hajj exercise.
It also resolved that all members will partner with the Saudi missions in Nigeria to address the menace of Hajj or Umrah over-stayers.