By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has inaugurated a 32-man Screening/Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2025 Hajj Air Carriers and Cargo Conveyers.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja, on Tuesday by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara.
The statement quoted her as saying that “this sets the pace for series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers as well as excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise”.
Besides, the 32-man Committee, chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspection and Licensing, OILS, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, drew membership from several aviation industry managers as well as stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, representative from the Presidency, security agencies and NAHCON staff.
The statement also indicated that composition of the Committees include five representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and one member each from Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
“Similarly, one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. Others are NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry”, the statement read.
She added that 11 airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia, sent applications indicating interest in the airlift of pilgrims for next year’s Hajj.
The nine applications from Nigerian airline companies are: Air Peace; GYRO Air Limited; Max Air Ltd; Nahco Aviance; Tarco Aviation; Umra Airline Limited (standing for Ethiopian Airlines); UMZA Aviation Services Limited; Value Jet and Trebet Aviation Ltd.
Usara further stated that five cargo companies applied for excess luggage transportation. They are Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited; Cargo Zeal Technologies; Qualla Investment; Kiswah Logistics Services Limited and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo.
The airline screening committee term of reference according to Usara, included, among others, to: Screen the prospective carriers that applied for license for the airlift of pilgrims and those for excess luggage in respect of the 2025 Hajj; decline the screening of any applicant whose status or documents are at variance with the conditions of application as stated in the adverts, and application form.
The Committee is expected to submit its report by Monday, December 2.
