*Photo: Gov. Nasir Idris (2nd right) in a handshake with Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, NAHCON Chairman/CEO on Saturday during Arabi’s visit to Kebbi*
Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State says his administration has provided all the financial support required to make the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, suitable for 2024 Hajj exercise.
Idris made the statement while receiving the National Chairman of National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) , Alhaji Jalal Ahmad-Arabi, in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
He said,” I paid all what is required as I want our intending pilgrims to depart from here.
“That is why, I ordered for the establishment of Aviation Fuel Depot,to enable aircraft to refuel here for convenience.”
Idris also appreciated the operational efficiency of Flynas Airline which evacuated all pilgrims from the state direct to Madina, in Saudi Arabia during the 2023 Hajj exercise.
On the issue of Hajj fares, the governor, said that all hajj fares paid by the intending pilgrims for the state were immediately transfered to NAHCON account without delay.
“I have no reason to put such fares into deposit account to generate interest.
” The money is not government’s money; it belongs to the people who are farmers, herders and traders who have toiled over the years to gather the fares to enable them discharge their religious obligation,” he said.
Idris described the appointment of Ahmad-Arabi by President Ahmed Tinubu as meritorious based on his track records in the Federal Civil Service.
“I will give you every possible assistance to succeed in your endeavour of managing the prominent organ of government, NAHCON,” he said.
He also expressed satisfaction about the performance of the Chairman, state Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa-Yaro, since his appointment to that position.
“I expanded the board membership of the agency unprecedented since the creation of the state to pave way for the agency to perform its operations deligently, of service to the people,” the governor said.
Earlier, Ahmad-Arabi, thanked the state government under the leadership of Gov. Idris of facilitating the activities of the commission by being the leading state in the federation to discharge its obligation towards the preparation of the hajji.
“I am here in Kebbi, to thank you, Mr governor, and to inspect facilities at the airport and Hajj Camp preparatory to the commencement of the 2024 pilgrimage exercise.
” I am saying congratulations in advance that the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport will be used for the 2024 hajj operations.
“Mr governor, I am also here to commend your Chairman of the pilgrims’ agency, Musa-Yaro, for performing excellently, who has now become my closest confident on hajj exercise,” he said.
In his remarks, Musa-Yaro, commended the governor for providing all requests, including running costs of the agency which made it the best in the country.
The chairman informed the governor that the NAHCON national chairman had given the support and encouragement towards ensuring smooth and hitch- free hajj exercise.
