The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday pledged to redouble efforts to maintain its position as the best Hajj operator among the 36 states of the federation.
FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa gave the assurance while bidding farewell to first batch of FCT intending pilgrims at the Hajj Camp, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FCT emerged the best in Hajj operations in 2017 and 2018 consecutively according to the rating of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Ohaa said the FCTA had always displayed utmost commitment to doing everything possible to ensure that its contingent get the best treatment while in the Holy land.
“To achieve this feat, the administration has successfully conducted all necessary arrangements for the welfare of the contingent to the holy land.
“Early preparations of the 2019 Hajj by the FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board and the formation of various committees and sub-committees to handle all aspects of Hajj operations attest to the seriousness of the administration towards recording more successes this year,” he said.
The permanent secretary said that with the commitment exhibited by the entire officials, in addition to the exemplary behaviour so far displayed by intending pilgrims, the 2019 Hajj would be rated even higher than those of previous years.
Ohaa who urged intending pilgrims to pray for the country while in the Holy land, noted that the country is currently facing some peculiar challenges that required supplications to the Almighty Allah for resolutions.
He also enjoined the management of the board and officials to discharge their duties diligently and assist intending pilgrims to perform the Hajj rites successfully.
The Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Muhammad Bashir said in an effort to ensure hitch free and successful Hajj operations, the board had conducted series of activities for the benefits of intending pilgrims.
The director noted that the activities included four phases of education and orientation exercises which included practical aspects of Hajj at the Permanent Hajj Camp.
Bashir added that the board had also embarked on medical screening for all intending pilgrims, pregnancy test for female intending pilgrims as well as immunisation, in line with the directives by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
He further said that the board had fully mobilised its staff to ensure optimum service delivery.
Bashir further stated that the board had also held a one day interactive session with officials appointed for the operations to ensure that intending pilgrims attained successful Hajj.
He warned officials that the board would not tolerate acts of indiscipline noting that any body found wanting would have his or herself to blame.
He, therefore, enjoined all intending pilgrims to be law abiding by respecting all policies of Saudi Arabian authorities.
“Be patient always, avoid rumour mongering, be responsible and avoid reckless spending and above all have the fear of Allah (SWT) and remember the purpose of the journey, ” he said.
He urged them to strictly abide by the transport system and feeding arrangements, luggage policy as well as flight schedule of the operations.
NAN reports that no fewer than 2,220 intending pilgrims who registered through the FCT are expected to join over 3 million Muslims from around the world to perform the 2019 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
