A pilgrim, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, who spoke to Freedom Radio Group, Kaduna Station from Muna said there were a lot of improvement in services and even conduct of this year’s Hajj exercise compared to previous outings, saying though it has been a norm for the Saudis to, after each Hajj operation, always search for ways; strategies to improve and enhance the conduct of the next exercise.
Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero is of the opinion that Nigerian pilgrims this year really got value for their monies, saying that he was not therefore surprised that this year’s Hajj fares were thus high.
He said, for the first time pilgrims were adequately accommodated, well fed and all efforts to ensure their comfort, in terms toiletries and other sundry necessary facilities for their ease and convenience have been stalked in the Mashã’ir – Muna, Arafah and Muzdalifah.
The pilgrim who said three square meals were provided promptly and adequately, further stated that the pilgrims never lacked even fruits and cool canned drinks to ward off the harsh weather conditions being experienced, which forced the Saudi authorities to prevent and delay pilgrims from going to the Jamrãt, the symbolic stoning of the devil, for at least five hours.
Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, however, said the authorities need to do more on conveniences which become crowded, a phenomenon that have been the nightmare of any pilgrim in the Mashã’ir areas for years on end.
Our source found out that to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims got value for their money, some officials were sent by NAHCON to Saudi Arabia a month, or two before the commencement of this year’s Hajj airlift from Nigeria to the holy land.
This probably helped in ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims were, as humanly possible, well attended to since arrival.
Freedom Radio Group, Kaduna Station, also gathered that the Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi ordered all staff of the Commission to shelve the idea of performing Hajj this year, but only be at the service of pilgrims.
He also threatened service providers with sanctions if they derelicted in the responsibilities they vowed to shoulder; a measure that could be said to have been responsible for the first class treatment and service to the Nigerian pilgrims this year.