JUMADA-AWWAL 3, 1429 A.H.
FRIDAY, MAY 9 2008
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Nigerian pilgrims’ accommodation problems, whose responsibility? (II)
By Musa A. Muhammad
Security:
Devices that would provide adequate security to the lives and properties of the pilgrims should be ensured at the premises of their accommodation, such properties to be well secured may include their traveling documents, personal belongings/ purchased goods, and more importantly, their monies. The safety of accommodation, which is not dilapidated or expired, should also be assured.
Information spot/centre:
There should be a designated spot where basic and general information can be passed to the pilgrims at their accommodation premises. Information about the next line of actions regarding the performance of Hajj rites, directives on general movements and general conduct of the pilgrims can always be disseminated from the information spot. The centre would also tend to answer some enquiries from the pilgrims.
Accomodation problems in the holy land
Forward to the foregoing discussion, it is very explicit that Saudi Arabian Authority, federal Government and State Governments of Nigeria through their Hajj commission and welfare boards respectively, are responsible for the accommodation of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy Land. It is also a well-known fact that the orderness and respect for the rule of law by the Saudi Authority is of high score. Consequently, the major accommodation problems of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy land is a master mind of Nigerians in the following ways:
Hajj affairs in Nigeria is being over politicized by the government in the attire of insincerity and tendency to maximize aggrandizement of public fund by some Hajj operators. It is a blatant fact that politically influential persons are often frustrating the sense of administrative professionalism of Hajj managers.
Situations are abound that Hajj stakeholders are sent to Saudi Arabia to rent houses for Nigerian pilgrims accommodation. On return to Nigeria, such high-powered team would go on air to proclaim that fine houses have been procured close to the Harram. The pilgrims would just discover their official 419 ers just as they reach Makah or Madinah as the case may be. The truth about the deal is that, these officials would claim enough that can rent befitting house, but they would misappropriate the variation and rent dilapidated or expired but renovated houses for the innocent pilgrims. They would also claim marvelous sums in the name of estacode in addition is the opportunity they would have to perform Umarah. What a windfall to these stakeholders. Other problems associated with Nigeria pilgrims accommodation in the Holy land include.
Late payment/booking with the land lord, lack of proximity to the Harram. Pilgrims often trek long distances to and from Harram the centre of hajj activities. This tends to discourage their frequency of attending to the Harram.
Over crowding of the pilgrims per room per house as few houses are booked for high number of pilgrims.
Over-stay of pilgrims in their accommodation beyond the booking period. They are either frustrated by with drawing the supply of water (vital need) from the houses or they are drawn to suffer in open scorching weather at Jeddah airport.
In the cases of Muna and Arafat, Nigeria pilgrims a re mostly camped outside the limits or very close to the limits faraway from Jamrah or Masjid respectively.
Conclusion
The Accommodation problems of Nigeria pilgrims are enormours but not insurmountable. It is a collective responsibilities of Saudi Arabian authority, Federal and State Government Hajj commission and welfare Boards respectively. The problems can be reduced by general re-orientation of Hajj stakeholders to be more ethically committed.
Recommendation
Saudi Arabian Authority should supervise and approve only credible houses for rentage by any nation during Hajj exercise.
Hajj Affairs in Nigeria should be placed under realistic legislation for better results.
There should be a well-focused device to re-orient Hajj Operators in Nigeria towards being more ethical and committed to the course.
Hajj Managers in Nigeria should start discussion on the renting or renewal of houses with the landlords and conclude negotiations over the phone early enough using Nigerian Embassy or any of the modern banking system for payment (Kabir, 2000).
All Hajj stakeholders should fear Allah in His consciousness whenever they discharge their responsibilities.
Concluded
Musa is former executive secretary of Bida local governemnt area, Niger State.
