– Says technical hitch will not affect movement to Saudi Arabia
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has assured the public that the recent technical hitch that affected one of the commission’s contracted air carriers would not derail the movement of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for hajj.
In a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara on Thursday, the commission said it had already concluded arrangements for rescue operations for any delayed or cancelled flight that would hinder the smooth transportation of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
“NAHCON acknowledges that a technical hitch affected one of the Commission’s contracted air carriers conveying Jigawa State pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2023 hajj. The hitch, which was caused by uncontrollable natural circumstance; turbulence as a result of heavy rainfall, forced the aircraft to land temporarily at the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
“While the occurrence caused an inevitable delay, no doubt, the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan assures Nigerian pilgrims, particularly those affected by the unavoidable development, that the situation has been well managed and will not derail the movement of pilgrims for the hajj. At the time of writing this release, NAHCON had already concluded arrangements for rescue operations for any delayed or cancelled flight that would hinder the smooth transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia,” the statement read.
NAHCON meanwhile confirmed that the 2023 hajj airlift from Nigeria has entered its seventh day with over 33 flights so far recorded.
It added that airlift of pilgrims for Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States have been concluded, while other states are recording steady progress.
“It would be recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), had increased the number of its air carriers to five this year,” according to the statement.
“So far, close to 14,000 pilgrims are safely in Madinah and the number of flights transporting pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also increase in a couple of days. The operation is going on as planned with back-up measures put in place in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, intending pilgrims are enjoined to remain in a state of readiness at all times for imminent departure to Saudi Arabia.
“NAHCON will keep the public updated with necessary information on the progress of the operations.”
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