Kano Zonal Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria [NAHCON], Alhaji Umar AT Bala, has warned tour operators engaged in Umrah this year? that the commission will enforce regulatory measures to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Alhaji Umar told the tour operators at a meeting organised by his office that all charter flights must fully comply with conditions and guidelines set by the IATA.
He said that any charter or schedule flight that delays pilgrims for a minimum of five hours must provide hot meals while delay for maximum hours attracts provision of accommodation.
He said that all activities of the 89 licensed tour operators would be monitored onshore and offshore to ensure strict compliance as NAHCON had sent inspection teams to Saudi Arabia to ensure that Umrah pilgrims get value for their money.
He said that the second batch of the monitoring team was billed to depart to Saudi Arabia next week.
Alhaji Umar disclosed that with the commencement of the airlift of intending Umrah pilgrims, the Zonal Office decided to organise the meeting with a view to informing the tour operators of the measures that were taken by the Commission in order to provide adequate services to the intending Umrah pilgrims during their departure and arrival to the country.