3rd August, 2017
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday constituted a 21-member Feeding Committee to monitor and oversee the feeding service arrangements during the 2017 Hajj.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, urged the members to ensure that food that would be served to pilgrims was of high quality.
He also advised the members to undertake the assignment with the utmost sense of responsibility and without fear or favour in the interest of our dear pilgrims.
He stated that the uproar generated by the increase Hajj fare made it imperative for the committee not to allow pilgrims to be shortchanged in the quality and quantity of food served them during the pilgrimage.
The Chairman further admonished the members to view the appointment as both a divine and national call to serve the pilgrims as well as the Almighty Allah.
The NAHCON boss, therefore, called on them to make sure that everything was done to ensure that the pilgrims get the best value for their money.
“You are to, therefore, keep your eyes open, so that whenever you see or notice anything that negates the letters and wordings of the terms of agreement with the caterers you must not only blow the whistle, but you can raise the alarm until the noticed wrongs or anomaly is remedied or rectified, ” he said.
He added that the policy that necessitated the reforms of organizing food services for pilgrims was aimed at preventing food related diseases and illegal food vending.
“To demonstrate its seriousness, Saudi Arabia made the policy an integral part of the condition for granting Hajj visa.
“Therefore you must work towards ensuring that the essence of the reform is not defeated by making sure that pilgrims’ food are served timely and in good quantity and quality”.
Responding, the Committee Chairman, Malam Shehu Makarfi assured that the members would not disappoint the commission nor compromise the confidence reposed in them.
“I want to thank the Commission for the trust and confidence reposed in us.
“I also want to assure that we will do the best we can by making sure that the food served is of the highest quality and standard.
“Any mistake we identified will be corrected or remedied immediately,” Makarfi said.