The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has appealed to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to review the subsisting airlifting policy with a view to giving more consideration to local airliners.
The governor made the plea when he received the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan and his team at Government House, Sokoto.
Saying that the existing policy at a point almost discouraged local airliners from operating, Tambuwal suggested that NAHCON should encourage them to improve on their modus operandi by measuring up to international visa standard.
‘’We know there have been challenges, but encourage them to do better, so that we can encourage those who are in that business locally to do more,’’ he said.
He appealed to the commission to continue to consult with stakeholders to horne their expertise directed at effective service delivery and to uphold the trust given to them by the president.
While commending NAHCON for executing some projects such as the construction of boreholes at the state’s hajj camp and a multi-purpose hall with the aid of the hajj development levy, he assured them that his administration would continue to cooperate with the commission on future endeavours.
Tambuwal said it is a deliberate policy of his administration that it has been working to complete projects it inherited from previous governments.
“Government is continuity. We must continue the projects we inherited and must not allow public resources to be wasted,’’ he added.
He commended the hajj saving initiative and prayed to Allah to reward the commission on it, adding that the scheme is one of the easiest way people can save and pay for hajj.
He applauded the commission’s proposal to set up a Hajj Training Institute, saying: “This is a welcome development, Nigerian Muslims- intending pilgrims and business people will be properly trained and have advanced expertise in handling pilgrims and Hajj issues. It is a way of making our hajj process in Nigeria to conform to those of other places in the world.
While congratulating Hassan for his well deserved appointment, he said he has confidence that God will make it easier for the new chairman and his team to improve and consolidate on the ideals and objectives guiding the setting up of NAHCON.
The Chairman of NAHCON, informed the Tambuwal of the commission’s desire to digitalize the whole operation of the hajj exercise.
