•Promises enhanced operations

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) recently screened air carrier operators for the 2014 Hajj operation.

The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, while performing the exercise in Abuja, urged the airline operatorsnot to fail in the transportation of the pilgrims to the holy land.

Bello said that their failure would not only affect the pilgrims, but also the entire nation.

“ This is a very important occasion because it affords the commission the opportunity to meet with the interested air carrier operators.

“ This is the procedure we usually adopt in this country to screen those air carrier operators who are interested in transporting the intending pilgrims to the holy land,” he said

The air carriers are Kabo Air, Meridian Airlines, Max Air, Med-view Airlines, Skypower Express Airways, Air Jupiter, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Egypt Airlines.

He said the operatorswere for the state Muslims welfare boards and agencies only.

Others are West link Airlines, Azman Air Services and National Air Services for the tour operators only.

The chairman expressed confidence that at the end of the screening, the commission would come up with the best air carrier operators that would transport the pilgrims to the holy land successfully.

He also expressed delight over the support the commission got from various stakeholders, individuals, organisations and agencies.

Responding, the chairperson, House of RepresentativesCommittee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said she was delighted to attend the occasion.

Elendu-Ukeje commended the commission for the “good job it had been doing so far in conducting Hajj operations”, adding that the collaboration between the National Assembly and NAHCON had been cordial.

She advised the operators to discharge their duties with fear of God and to transport the pilgrims to the holy land and return them peacefully.

The lawmaker said that the exercise was a very transparent one, urging the commission to keep it up. She promised to assist the commission when and where necessary within her capability at all times.