Consumer Protection: Saudi Arabia refunds N107m to NAHCON over poor services during Hajj

*The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, says the positive response of the concerned company has vindicated the Commission’s tenacious struggle to right the wrong feeding arrangement and quality of services rendered to Nigerian Pilgrims during the 2022 Hajj by the Muassassah

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For the poor feeding services rendered by the company of Mutawwifs for pilgrims from African Non- Arab Countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has refunded the sum of N107 million to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Mousa Ubandawaki, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division at NAHCON, disclosed this development in a statement Tuesday, December 20, 2022, in Abuja, FCT.

Ubandawaki stated that the development was sequel to the Commission’s several letters and reminders to the company on the poor feeding services during the Masha’ir period.

The NAHCON Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division also recalled that poor services rendered by the Muassassah for Nigerian Pilgrims marred the 2022 Hajj, especially feeding during the five-day peak of Hajj.

Alhaji Zikhrullah Hassan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAHCON, described the development as heart-warming.

Hassan stated the company’s positive response vindicated the Commission’s tenacious struggle to right the wrong feeding arrangement and quality of services rendered to Nigerian Pilgrims during the 2022 Hajj by the Muassassah.

The NAHCON Chief Executive stated: “I really want to thank my counterparts from the Mutawwifs for this role in ensuring that they refunded the money paid for services not rendered or poorly delivered.”

The Mutawwifs or Muassassah is the Saudi Arabian company responsible for accommodations, transportation and feeding of Nigerians and other Africans in Muna and Arafat during the Hajj in the country.