Reps order probe of NAHCON, want Hajj savings scheme suspended

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Thursday urged  the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to suspend further implementation of the Hajj Savings Scheme pending the investigation of the scheme by its Committee on Hajj Affairs.

The House also mandated  the Committee on Hajj Affairs to review the entire Hajj Savings Scheme’s agreement with NAHCON and Jaiz Bank Plc to ensure transparency and accountability

The committee is to report back within two weeks for.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Manu Soro on the “Need to investigate the  Hajj Savings Scheme and temporarily suspend its implementation by the Hajj Commission of Nigeria.”

Soro in his motion noted that the Hajj Savings Scheme was established by Section 7 of Hajj commission Act to enable intending pilgrims to save towards fulfilling one of the pillars of Islam. 

He said Jaiz Bank Plc and NAHCON had in September 2020 signed savings scheme agreement to make it easier for intending pilgrims to gradually plan and save through  a long saving platform for people who intend to go for hajj. 

He however expressed concerns that the National Hajj Commission recently directed the states’ pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions to migrate Hajj deposits made by the intending pilgrims to the Hajj savings scheme platform with Jaiz Bank to come under the control and supervision of NAHCON.

Soro said the such directive could give room for corruption and lack of accountability, hence, the need to suspend the implementation of the scheme until an investigation is carried out.