Ahead of the 2023 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) are scheduled to hold a zoom meeting on December 21, 2022, in preparation for 2023 Hajj.
NAHCON in a statement by its assistant director, public affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Friday, disclosed that this was contained in a letter officially received through Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to her, the meeting is expected to commence by 10:30am Saudi Arabian time, 8:30am local time.
According to NAHCON, the meeting is aimed at laying the foundation for signing of the 2023 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
The statement read in part, “some issues to be presented in the zoom meeting include determining the cost of Hajj 2023 services, specifically the cost of the Masha’ir package. It would be recalled that in the previous Hajj, cost of the Masha’ir services was higher than expected while information concerning the amount was received belatedly.
“Other items on the agenda of the meeting will include a request by NAHCON for the MOHU to intervene with the Mutawif Company for African Non- Arab Countries to release pending refunds of some services paid for, but not rendered or poorly rendered during the 2022 Hajj exercise.
“NAHCON also plans to reiterate its desire for quality of Masha’ir facilities in 2023 Hajj to correspond with the value of the amount that would be charged. Also on the front burner is a request for updates on the Makkah Route initiative project as well as the Commission’s plan on transportation services in the kingdom during the Hajj.
“Meanwhile, NAHCON’s Finance and Accounts Division has advised State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions yet to apply for their pilgrims refund to do so. The call was necessitated by the Commission’s resolve to settle all 2022 Hajj pending issues to avoid interference while preparing for the forthcoming Hajj season.”
