The Saudi Arabian government has apologised to Nigerian pilgrims over its inability to meet up with required number of tents to accommodate the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims at Mina. It was learned that some Nigerians could not be accommodated under the tents that were provided by the agency for the pilgrims yesterday when they visited Mina for a holy ritual. The agency, Muttawwif of Africa and non-Arabs, later made an adhoc arrangement that 10,000 Nigerian pilgrims were relocated to a tent that were mend for Turkish pilgrims to ease their hardship under the scotching sun.
The decision to relocate them followed a complained filled by the Nigerian Hajj commission, NAHCON, on behalf of the Nigerian pilgrims over inadequate tents and food supply to its citizens.
The Muttawwif apologises for the bad treatment Nigerians pilgrims faced, describing it as oversight.
In a statement released by Muttawwif chairman, Singhi, he said, “We really want to apologise for what the Nigerian pilgrims suffered through today (yesterday).
“However, I want to impress it on the commission that we will give them the utmost priority in the coming days for what they passed through”.
Meanwhile, he expressed appreciation to Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), for showing understanding and the Nigerian pilgrims for their patience and perseverance.
It was Hassan, who expressed dissatisfaction over the inadequate tents mend for Nigerian pilgrims at Mina by the Saudi Company after they could not make enough tents at the Mashã’ir for Nigerians.
He revealed that earlier, NAHCON has envisaged that such problem was most likely to occur and suggested that they be involved in the process but the Saudi authorities concerned insisted they had a mega kitchen, that can take care of such and the three alternate plans to deliver to the satisfaction of all the pilgrims.
NAHCON disclosed that it also notified the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah about the Nigerian plight concerning the tent and the feeding and the authorities have assured that it will be reviewed.
Alhaji Hassan reminded the authorities that there is a standing rule that only those that received good treatment would be charged and paid but for those treated badly would be refunded.
Subsequently, NAHCON would insist and press for a serious, meaningful, and satisfactory improvement within the shortest possible time, he added.
