The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday reiterated its commitment to improving on the Hajj operations in 2013 in order to address the shortcomings recorded in the last exercise to the Holy Land.
Honourable Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide gave the assurance while receiving the 2012 Hajj Report presented by Chairman of the FCT Amirul Hajj Team, Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd).
The minister stated the determination of FCTA to excel in the Hajj exercise and continue ensuring transparency in the operation.
“Let me commend the FCT Amirul Hajj Team for its candour, and assure that the administration would study the report and remedy the observed shortcomings. The report is a roadmap for us to improve on the Hajj exercise for the 2013.
“We are pained that out of the over 2,800 intending pilgrims for FCT, about 320 people couldn’t make it due to non-issuance of visa. This is already being investigated in order to avoid a repetition. The 320 persons who couldn’t perform Hajj in 2012 would be considered first for the 2013 Hajj Operation.”
Akinjide also disclosed that the administration would ensure transparency in the sale of the hajj forms this year to prevent abuse.
On the Hajj Camp sited near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the minister promised that the permanent camp would be completed to provide a conducive environment for intending Muslim pilgrims.
Earlier in his remarks, Mamman stated that the team recommended a review of the existing allocation of hajj seats to FCT.
His words, “FCT should not be seen as an administrative unit. It is cosmopolitan in nature. The Presidency is also part of FCT. We recommended an upward review of allocation of hajj seats to FCT. The Team also recommended that efforts should be intensified to complete the permanent hajj camp.”
He expressed concerns over the shabby treatment meted to FCT pilgrims by one of the approved airlines for the Hajj, which diverted its aircraft to other states. He urged the FCTA to take action on the airline to avoid future occurrence.
He also disclosed that the FCT recorded one death during the pilgrimage to Mecca and two cases of pregnant women who performed the hajj.
