The federal government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Jeddah signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a hitch-free 2024 Hajj.
The Nigerian delegation to the meeting was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, while the Saudi contingent was led by the country’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taufiq Al-Rabiah.
The Assistant Director, Public Affairs National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Usara, said the Nigerian contingent to parley which had in attendance the Acting Chairman/ CEO NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, pressed for more favourable terms for Nigerian carriers during Hajj airlifts and requested for a lasting solution to the shortage of tents in Mina.
The federal government also invited the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit Nigeria.
In response, Rabiah, acknowledged the challenge of space in Mina and assured that efforts were in place to maximise the use of the available two million square meters for the over 2 million pilgrims performing Hajj annually.
While accepting the invitation to visit Nigeria soon, Rabiah expressed the ministry’s support for all measures aimed at giving pilgrims the best services.
He also reminded NAHCON delegation of the new reservation policy for Masha’ir spaces.
In response to NAHCON’s request for adequate space in Mina, Rabiah also highlighted the importance of early monetary deposits for reserving preferred spaces in Masha’ir, saying it aligned with the ministry’s updated policy of first-come, first-served.
He urged NAHCON to take advantage of this new policy to secure choice spaces in Masha’ir as the move was part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring fairness in space allocation.
Other participants from Nigeria include Nigerian Consul-General in Jeddah, Bello Kazaure, senior officers from the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia and NAHCON.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
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