By Musa Baba Adamu
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has secured camp in Mashair for Private Tour Operators (PTO), after advancing payment for camp booking pending funding of their IBAN accounts.
According to a statement issued by Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication, this follows a request by the PTO to the Commission to intervene precluding inaccessibility of the NUSUK MASAR contract portal scheduled to be closed by 14th of February 2025.
It said about 4,601 spaces had successfully been booked so far in Tent D while booking is still ongoing.
It would be recalled that transferring of funds to Tour Operators’ IBAN accounts had been a source of concern in recent years, preventing some operators from accessing visa for all their pilgrims.
It said this measure to advance payment on the PTO’s behalf was approved by the Prof. Abdullahi Saleh led Board to prevent the closure of contracts on the NUSUK MASAR portal from hampering the operator’s access to visa.
It said: “The approval ensures that Nigerian pilgrims under private tour operators have guaranteed access to visa processing and Mashair camp accommodation during the upcoming Hajj.”
In another development, booking of 52, 544 camp slots have successfully been completed for Nigerian pilgrims under state quota today.
The statement said the Commission’s Chairman expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying without their trusts and supports “this feat would not have been possible.”
It said the Chairman also commended NAHCON staff for their dedication that made the bookings successful.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
