Nigeria demands refund over poor hajj services in Mina
Nigerian pilgrims who recently participated in the hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia are demanding a refund from the Saudi firm, Muttawwif, which was responsible for their accommodation and feeding in Mina. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) expressed disappointment in the subpar services provided by the company and insisted on receiving reimbursement.
During the hajj pilgrimage, many Nigerian pilgrims complained about inadequate tents for accommodation and poor feeding in Mina, where they spent five days performing the hajj rites. In response to the grievances, Muttawwif relocated 10,000 Nigerian pilgrims to an area originally allocated for Turkish pilgrims. However, some state pilgrims’ welfare boards objected to the move due to logistical challenges and distance.
Zikrullahi Kunle Hassan, the Chairman of NAHCON, criticized Muttawwif for subjecting Nigerian pilgrims to hardships and demanded that the company withdraw from catering to Nigerian pilgrims. He also urged them to relocate the Nigerian pilgrims to a different tent site in Mina.
Hassan emphasized the cultural and culinary differences, explaining that Nigerian pilgrims had specific food preferences that were not being met. He noted that Nigerian-style cooking was crucial to ensure that the food was eaten and not wasted. Therefore, he requested that the feeding responsibility be handed over to the Nigerian delegation while allowing Muttawwif to provide oversight and regulation.
The chairman also dismissed Muttawwif’s excuse of illegal pilgrims invading Mina, stating that they were not responsible for security and unable to control such incidents. He blamed the firm for inadequate tent provisions, highlighting that despite the significant increase in the number of Nigerian pilgrims, Muttawwif supplied the same capacity of tents as the previous year.
Yahaya Sulaiman, President of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, accused Muttawwif of lacking transparency in their operations. He criticized the company for failing to provide documentary evidence of the quantity of food and water supplied to the pilgrims.
The Nigerian pilgrims expressed their disappointment with the poor services provided by Muttawwif, and even if a refund is offered, they believe that their damaged images cannot be restored. Transparency and improved communication are essential for ensuring the satisfactory management of future hajj exercises.
The NAHCON chairman and the president of the association highlighted the need for Muttawwif to relinquish control over the feeding of Nigerian pilgrims and allow the Nigerian delegation to oversee catering operations. By integrating Nigerian cultural preferences, they believe that the quality of the food and the overall experience for the pilgrims will improve.
In conclusion, Nigerian pilgrims are demanding a refund from Muttawwif due to the poor services provided during the hajj exercise in Mina. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is urging the company to hand over responsibility for feeding Nigerian pilgrims and to relocate them to a different tent site in Mina. Transparency and improved communication are essential for a satisfactory hajj experience in the future.
