By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah.
As millions of Pilgrims converged on Mina in Makkah where they will spend between three to four nights, insufficient tents is incoveniencing some pilgrims as they have to make do with staying outside.
Most affected with the insufficient tents in Mina are pilgrims from Kano, then Kaduna and those who came through t.our operators.
Some of the pilgrims were seen staying on the roads outside but beside their tents, though with comfortable sofas. Others have to collapse three tents into one and stretched them to the accessible road paths to accommodate more pilgrims.
But some, including females are not that lucky as they have to utilise pieces of disused cartons to spread on the floor outside the tents to lay on.
Others resort to invading other tents where they see space to occupy. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON media team was not spared as Kano State pilgrims invaded the tent, occupying every available space to the detriment of the journalists who arrived late.
But in a swift reaction, NAHCON attributed the tent shortage to insufficient planning by the Mu’assasah with downturn in tent spaces.
A statement by Mouse Ubandawaki, Deputy Director Information and Publication said NAHCON planned for 95,000 slots, but the unforseen situation was compounded by some pilgrims occupying multiple slots.
The statement however assured that the commission is working roundi the clock to swiftly resolve the problem to ensure the comfort and security of every Nigerian pilgrims.
NAHCON empathised with those affected while apologising, and appealed to all pilgrims to remain calm, prayerful and dedicated to the purpose of their presence at the Hajj.
Meanwhile, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called for urgent action to resolve the problem.
in a statement by the National Coordinator, Muhammed Ibrahim, the IHR said it “observed with dismay the lack of spaces for Nigerian pilgrims to this years Hajj in Mina camp leading to thousands being stranded.”
The body said its initial findings showed that the lack of space for the pilgrims was as a result of two major issues and lapses. Firstly, the Muassasa allocated the same number of tent to Nigerian pilgrims this year as they did last year, but while the Nigerian contingent to Hajj 2022 was about 45,000, Saudi Authorities allocated 95,000 slots this year. It therefore, makes no sense that the same spaces are allocated for the two contingents.
The statement reads in part “the Saudi based security personnel deployed to man the tents in the area allocated to Nigerian pilgrims opened the entrances much earlier than the arrival of real pilgrims and the fake ones, mostly made up of illegal immigrants from Nigeria, popularly called , Tukari who took over the spaces”
It said it noticed that the fake pilgrims went as far as producing fake wrist bands and trackers to hoodwink the security personnel.
“IHR therefore, in the interim suggest that all officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the 36 states and FCT should vacate the tents they are presently occupying to allow stranded Nigerian pilgrims to stay there temporarily.
“Priority should be given to only female officials.
“Also, NAHCON and the states should immediately go into action by screening all pilgrims inside the tent in order to weed out all fake pilgrims.
“IHR is also sad to note that there was very poor supply of food to the pilgrims on the first day of stay in Mina. Most of the caterers brought food very late. We call on NAHCON to blacklist these caterers against future Hajj operations.”
