The House of Representatives Committee set up to probe the operations of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) over the 2024 Hajj exercise has described the commission as dirty.
The lawmakers told the new NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Usman, that he was presiding over a very “dirty” agency.
Following the controversy which surrounded the utilization of the ₦90bn subsidy provided by the federal government for the 2024 Hajj exercise, President Bola Tinubu, in August, sacked the embattled Chairman of the commission, Jalal Arabi and replaced him with Usman.
The House of Representatives also set up a panel in July 2024 to investigate NAHCON activities regarding the shoddy arrangements and treatment of Nigerian pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Speaking at the investigative hearing of the committee on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee and member representing the Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Sada Soli, told the NAHCON Chairman that he was presiding over a “dirty” agency.
“Mr Chairman, I pity you. You are in an organisation that is very dirty. NAHCON is very dirty,” said the Katsina lawmaker.
“Yes, I agree,” Usman responded.
Soli, in his opening address during the Committe’s sitting, pointed out the importance of the Hajj exercise in the life of Muslims and stressed the need to remove every bottleneck challenge in the fulfilment of the spiritual exercise.
He said, “Today marks a significant step in our ongoing effort to address the various challenges faced by Nigerian pilgrims during the most recent Hajj operations and to ensure we develop comprehensive solutions that improve future pilgrimages.
“As you are aware, the Hajj is one of the most important spiritual journeys for millions of Muslims around the world, including many Nigerians. It is a deeply personal and transformative experience, one that pilgrims invest a great deal of faith, time, and resources into. Unfortunately, this year’s Hajj was met with several operational difficulties and complaints from our citizens, many of whom felt that the services provided did not meet the standards they expected.
“These challenges, ranging from logistical issues to inadequate services, are what have brought us here today. The House of Representatives has mandated this committee to carry out a thorough investigation into the root causes of these problems and to recommend strategies that will prevent their recurrence in the future.
“I want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all stakeholders present here today, from officials of NAHCON to travel agencies, airlines, and other service providers, as well as the pilgrims who have come forward with their experiences. Your participation is vital to the success of this process. This hearing is not just about identifying problems, but also about working together to find solutions that will ensure future Hajj operations are seamless, efficient, and worthy of the expectations placed upon them.
“The insights, experiences, and recommendations shared during these hearings will play a critical role in informing our final report, which will be submitted to the House. We are committed to transparency, thoroughness, and fairness in this investigation, and we ask for your full cooperation in making this process as productive as possible.”
