Politics

Niger Governor Gives Reasons Federal Govt Should Probe NAHCON over ₦90bn Hajj Subsidy

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 24th, 2024.

Niger Governor Gives Reasons Federal Govt Should Probe NAHCON over ₦90bn Hajj Subsidy

Niger Governor, Bago Umaru

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has called for an investigation into the activities of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), criticizing the 2024 Hajj exercise as a failure.

In a statement released on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Bago recounted the numerous issues faced by pilgrims this year and expressed disappointment with NAHCON’s role. He believes the commission has overstepped its regulatory functions by acting as an operator of Hajj activities.

Speaking to newsmen in Mecca, Bago emphasized the need for Hajj operations to be driven by the private sector to ensure more effective and efficient service delivery. He announced plans to lead a committee of state governors to engage relevant authorities for a comprehensive review of NAHCON’s functions.

“Let the private sector drive Hajj operations, with NAHCON serving as a regulator at the center,” Bago stated. “I am leading a committee of governors to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and from there we will move to the NEC. I will propose a motion and we will send a bill to the National Assembly to review NAHCON’s role.”

Bago argued that Hajj operations should be managed at the local government level and that state governments should have the autonomy to organize pilgrimages and engage private agents, similar to practices in other countries.

He also called for a probe into the ₦90 billion subsidy provided by the Federal Government for the Hajj operations. Despite this subsidy, Bago noted that states, including Niger, still incurred substantial costs. He alleged that pilgrims received only $400 for their 40-day stay, despite each paying ₦8 million for the pilgrimage.

Bago suggested that the ₦90 billion subsidy would have had a more significant impact if it had been distributed directly to the states.