The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday explained that its decision to engage a supplementary service provider for Nigerian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was meant to meet Saudi’s stringent deadlines and to ensure uninterrupted service to Nigerian pilgrims.
Reports are rife in recent times that the Hajj commission had breached its contract with Saudi-based service provider, Mashariq al Dhahabia, which was said to have threatened to sue NAHCON over the alleged breach of contract.
Explaining the alleged breach of contract, NAHCON’s Head, Public Affairs, Muhammad Ahmad Musa, stated that the Nigerian Hajj body discovered Mashariq al Dhahabia’s operational challenges, particularly its listing on the Saudi visa portal, Nusuk.
Musa added that though the service provider with which NAHCON entered into an agreement on January 17 subsequently took corrective actions, the commission deemed it necessary to supplement Mashariq’s services with an additional provider.
This, he stated, was to ensure uninterrupted service to Nigerian pilgrims.
He added that since its inception, NAHCON has been honouring all contractual commitments and upholding the standards of transparency and accountability.
Musa, however, stated that the commission was engaging with Mashariq al Dhahabia regarding recent media reports alleging contract breach.
According to him, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is engaging with the Saudi service provider Mashariq al Dhahabia regarding recent media reports alleging contract breach.
“Since its inception, NAHCON has been honouring all contractual commitments, upholding the standards of transparency and accountability.
“On January 17, 2025, during a pre-Hajj visit following the Hajj exhibition, NAHCON and Mashariq al Dhahabia entered into an agreement to provide ground and Masha’ir services for Nigerian States’ Pilgrims.
“The decision to supplement Mashariq’s services with an additional provider was made after identifying operational challenges specifically, issues with Mashariq’s listing on the Saudi Visa Portal, Nusuk.
“Despite subsequent corrective actions by Mashariq al Dhahabia, NAHCON’s proactive decision to engage a supplementary provider was driven by the need to meet stringent Saudi deadlines and to ensure uninterrupted service to Nigerian Pilgrims.
“Recent news carried by some media houses stating threats of legal action by Mashariq al Dhahabia, appears intended to pressure NAHCON into granting an exclusive monopoly of the states’ quota.
“NAHCON firmly rejects any attempt to create confusion or compromise the welfare of the Nigerian pilgrims. Instead, the Commission’s strategy is to foster a competitive environment that is aimed at reducing costs and enhancing service quality.”
He stated that the commission remained steadfast in its common tment to contractual integrity as well as the wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims.
Musa further assured that NAHCON would continue to strive to operate with accountability and transparency.
“NAHCON remains steadfast in its commitment to contractual integrity and the well-being of the Nigerian Pilgrims. The Commission will continue striving to operate with transparency and accountability, undeterred by allegations or attempts to undermine its mission.
“NAHCON is also committed to excellence, transparency and the welfare of Nigerian Pilgrims in service provision of this sacred journey,” Musa stated.
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