By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah.
Following the insufficient tents in Mina, Makkah where pilgrims are expected to spend three to four nights, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, said it is dissatisfied with the Saudi Arabia Service providers.
The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan said the Saudi company with the sole responsibility of securing enough tents at the Mashã’ir for Nigerians has not lived upto expectations.
Fielding questions from journalists in Muna on the sad phenomenon, the Commission chairman said even food supply by the contracted firms is below par, as the food was not only sufficient, but served late.
He said NAHCON foresaw these problems and had suggested the commission be involved, but the Saudi authorities insisted they had a mega kitchen, the know-how and about three alternate plans to deliver to the satisfaction of the Commission.
He said the Commission had already notified the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the situation of tents and feeding, as he was to meet with them to further express his dissatisfaction and work out better means of tackling the issues.
Alhaji Hassan explained further that there has been a standing rule that only satisfactory services provided would be charged and paid for, while refunds would be made for those poorly handled, asserting that pilgrims paid not to be refunded, but to have the comfort to worship Allah with ease.
He said NAHCON would insist and press for a serious, meaningful and satisfactory improvement within the shortest possible time, so that Nigerian pilgrims would comfortably conclude their Hajj rituals.
