*Photo:NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi (seated right) during Agreement Signing with representatives of one of the airlines *
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) , Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi has urged Air Carriers
for this year’s Hajj exercise to prove their worth.
Malam Arabi gave the challenge on Thursday at Hajj House, Abuja, during the Agreement Signing exercise with Air Carriers in preparation for the 2024 Hajj Operations.
According to the NAHCON boss, the Air Carriers are major stakeholders and “partners in progress” with the Commission.
He said much is expected of them as were many applicants on the queue from which they emerged through a rigorous and transparent screening process.
Noting that they were not new to pilgrims airlift, he said “You did it in the past, nothing should stop you from doing it again,” adding expectations are high for a successful exercise.
The NAHCON CEO further said that “We have gone through challenges together this year. As we were following up, so were you.”
He added that “I am confident that we wouldn’t fail. There are moments of anxiety, what we are about to do now, should have been done long time ago. Whatever it is, at least we are here today and we are going to do it.”
Malam said the task of airlines does not stop at merely serving the pilgrims as they also have their names to protect.
“Let us prove our worth, let us ensure we meet all standards. There are things that cannot be taken for granted. There must be special attention to security. If you do well, NAHCON will take the bullets on your behalf.
So please don’t fail us, don’t put us to shame and do the best that you can” he stressed.
Earlier, the Commissioner in charge of Operations at NAHCON, Prince Anofi Elegushi said the agreement signing ceremony marked a significant milestone in efforts to ensure smooth operations, pointing out that it is only through collective efforts that high quality service can be provided to pilgrims.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, NCAA Musa Shaibu who was represented by the Director Aerodromes and Air Space Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, said the nation “cannot afford to do fire brigade operations to Hajj”.
He said the agency had already commenced its work ahead of time “because Hajj operations is predictable,” pointing out that
“15 Aerodromes have been inspected and all issues have been communicated and are being addressed.”
Shaibu said “From their previous performance, the airlines are expected to do well and better. Safety and security is naturally an inherent thing that we do. Next is the welfare of the Pilgrims during airlift to and fro. We will ensure all regulatory functions are upheld.”
