Friday, September 20, 2024

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday, met with representatives of air carriers that airlifted pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj.

The meeting, Muslim News gathered was aimed at finding a lasting solution to the complication that has hindered settlement of the year’s hajj ticket fees to the airlines.

Those present at the meeting were the representatives of Aero Contractors, Max Air, Air Peace, Azman and FlyNas.

It would be recalled that the air ticket fee for the 2023 Hajj was $2,026.00 at a concessionary rate of N456 to a dollar. In Naira equivalent, pilgrims paid N923,856.00 as cost of return ticket.

Speaking on the development, the Commission’s Assistant Director Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, in a statement issued after the meeting, noted that by the time the hajj airlift was concluded, the dollar had already risen, leading to the predicament.

“The dollar volatility since then kept worsening the situation.

“Series of meetings held to resolve the matter had always ended in a log-jam with the airlines insisting for payment in dollars as stated in the contract.

“Considering the protracted predicament, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima intervened with an appeal to the airlines to accept payment of the air fare in Naira in the face of dollar scarcity. Hence, the Commission yesterday, 18th September 2024 invited the airlines for a resolution of the matter.

Speaking during the consultative meeting, Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq who led the deliberations recognised the airlines for their mutual understanding and demonstration of loyalty for a long term partnership.

He prayed that by the end of the meeting, both parties would reach a common ground.

In his remark, Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, observed that the outstanding payment was overdue and praised the airlines for their magnanimity.

He lamented that the reason for this stalemate was the insistence by the airlines to receive payment only in dollars, but a shift in this stance would hopefully end further delay in settling the debt.

“Consequently, the airlines’ representatives expressed their frustrations but subsequently agreed with the proposed Naira payment and promised to work with the Commission in ending the log-jam.

“Meanwhile, the Commission is scheduled to meet with other important stakeholders to discuss critical Hajj 2025 issues as well,” statement added.

Source: https://muslimnews.com.ng/2024/09/20/nahcon-airlines-agree-to-resolve-hajj-2023-backlog-payment-in-naira/