Travel Agents Demand Accountability From NAHCON Over N15bn Debt Issue

Travel Agents Demand Accountability From NAHCON Over N15bn Debt Issue....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Travel agents represented by the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) are demanding that the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) refund over N15 billion of their funds that are currently trapped in the commission’s accounts, without any adequate explanation provided……CONTINUE READING 

In a statement on Saturday, AHUON President Abdullateef Ekundayo reacted to NAHCON’s recent announcement stating, “with or without AHUON, Arafat will hold.” He urged members to halt any preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations until NAHCON releases the funds owed to them from the 2022 to 2024 Hajj periods.

In addition to the trapped funds, the association is facing several ongoing issues with the regulatory body. Among their concerns is the N90 billion bailout provided by President Bola Tinubu to NAHCON for the 2024 Hajj operations, which AHUON claims excluded its members without any explanation.

While NAHCON asserted that it is in discussions with AHUON, Ekundayo rejected this claim outright. He emphasized that NAHCON owes AHUON members over N15 billion, which has adversely affected their businesses.

Ekundayo stated, “It has been the practice of the Saudi government to refund money to countries after each Hajj operation based on three criteria: services paid for by pilgrims that were not rendered, services poorly rendered, and tent security deposits. Our members are owed funds in all these categories from the 2022 Hajj to the present.”

He noted that during their recent meeting, NAHCON confirmed receiving 20 million Saudi Riyals (approximately N4 billion) in refunds from the Saudi authorities since December of last year, but they have not formally communicated this to AHUON or outlined the payment modalities. “If not for the EFCC’s investigation into the commission, we wouldn’t have known about this payment; we only found out through media reports,” he added.

Furthermore, Ekundayo highlighted that NAHCON had received over N2.7 billion as caution deposits from AHUON members during the last Hajj operation, which were supposed to be refunded two weeks after the Hajj concluded. However, the commission has yet to return any of the requested funds and is instead demanding additional deposits from the operators.