By Mikail Mumuni
*Photo: Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman*
The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has commended the Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman led National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its accountability and transparency.
OMC gave the commendation at
its general meeting held on 8th December 2024 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
In the communique issued after the meeting and signed by its General Secretary, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, OMC commended the Commission for its accountability and transparency in the recent return of fund to pilgrims for services not rendered as reimbursed by the Saudi Arabia authority.
OMC further urged the Commission to “always be Allah-conscious in the discharge of its responsibilities.”
NAHCON had in a statement by Muhammad Ahmad Musa, Head, Public Affairs, announced the disbursement of N5.3billion refunds to State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Tour Operators for poorly rendered services during the 2023 Hajj.
Musa said in that press statement that “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is hereby informing the public that it has disbursed refunds amounting to N4,479,362,880.00 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Eighty Naira) to States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Armed Forces. These refunds pertain to the Masha’ir electricity services not rendered properly by the Saudi Authorities during the 2023 Hajj exercise.
“In addition, the Commission has refunded a sum of N917,148,479.99 (Nine hundred and seventeen million, one hundred and forty-eight thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine Naira, ninety-nine kobo) to 192 accredited Tour Companies that participated in the 2023 Hajj. This amount is intended for onward disbursement to their respective Pilgrims, while the remaining participating companies will also be refunded after due reconciliation.”
He stressed that “This refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.”
Musa said “All Pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj are advised to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards and Commissions or Tour Operators to claim their refunds. Each Pilgrim, is entitled to receive a refund of N61,080.00. (Sixty One Thousand, Eighty Naira only).”
A detailed breakdown of the number of Pilgrims per State and the corresponding amounts was attached to the press statement and many of the States have commenced disbursement accordingly.
NAHCON however did not just stopped at sending the refunds to the States and Tour Operators. It also, in a bold moment asked the anti-corruption to monitor the the entire process, right from the Commission to the Pilgrims.
According to the statement by Musa,” In the interest of transparency and due process, NAHCON calls upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the refund process. This collaboration aims to ensure that all refunds are appropriately disbursed and reached the intended beneficiaries without any discrepancy.”
While NAHCON was still being applauded for that press statement, its Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, came up with another soul lifting Information for the 2023 Pilgrims and indeed all Hajj stakeholders in Nigeria.
In a press statement titled “More Refunds to Reach 2023 Pilgrims Accounts”, Hajia Usara said “It would be recalled that in the month of October, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) acknowledged receipt of refunds from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various services not rendered to pilgrims of previous unspecified Hajj seasons.”
She recalled that “NAHCON explained that the problem hindering payment of the refunds was unavailability of details accompanying the received funds. Details were not attached on the reasons of the
refunds, or whom they were meant for and the amount each pilgrims is to receive.
” Consequent upon this predicament, the Chairman of National Haj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman wishes to crave indulgence of pilgrims and the larger public on the stalemate preventing NAHCON from releasing the remaining monies lodged in its account. The Commission is still awaiting explanations of these refunds without which the
Hajj House cannot make payments.”
She said “For the benefit of clearing any doubts, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria received in five tranches the sum of SR 20,716, 035.2 (twenty million Saudi Riyals, seven hundred and sixteen thousand, thirty-five point two Halalas) as various categories of unexplained refunds.”
Hajia Usara disclosed that “Of these total, NAHCON received explanation only over the disbursement of SR 150 each for the 95,000 pilgrims that participated in the 2023 Hajj.
She said ” This amount covers matters relating to electricity supply in Masha’ir locations. The refund has since been released to the States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Private Tour Operators for onward dispensation to their respective pilgrims. Hence NAHCON is still anticipating narration on a total of SR6m,466,035.15.”
She further disclosed that
“In pursuit of further disbursement of the remaining refunds thus, the Commission had written several letters to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requesting for details in order to hand over the monies to the rightful owners. Besides, during the Chairman’s recent trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he led a delegation on a follow-up visit to the Ministry and other relevant establishment seeking clarification over the rightful beneficiaries of the
refunds and the amount due to each person.
“Therefore, of the above quoted amount, SR 14, 250,000 has already been dispensed to pilgrims under the state quota and Private Tour Operators as compensation for electricity supplied in Masha ir, while the Commission is still awaiting explanation for the
SR6m,466,035.15.”
She that “Consequent upon the above, Professor Saleh assures the affected pilgrims and their respective officials that as soon as the Commission receives full details of refunds; vis-a- vis beneficiaries, reasons for the refunds and the amount accruable to each beneficiary,
the remaining amount will be disbursed immediately and transparently too.”