The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has encouraged the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress not to hinder the continued transit of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, made the plea in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Usara also emphasised the need for the NLC and the TUC to respect the sensitivity of “this divine devotion and not to encroach on its movement.”
“Information reaching NAHCON indicates that there are plans by a section of the NLC to disrupt the ongoing Hajj operations.
“This is coming despite the initial understanding that Hajj flights would not be affected.
“The commission appreciates the concern of the NLC over the welfare of its members, however, NAHCON wants it to respect the sanctity of Hajj as a religious obligation which Muslims do not take lightly.
“The commission advises NLC to apply caution and not to tamper with the Hajj conveyance as a courtesy to the Muslim faith.
“Disruptive action against the smoothness of the operation will deprive intending Muslims of their fundamental right to worship considering the limited time left before the closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for the pilgrimage,” the statement added.
Based on data obtained from the agency’s website, 65,500 Nigerians are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage in 2024.
38,805 pilgrims have already been transported to Saudi Arabia by the commission using 92 planes.
In an effort to emphasize their demands for the establishment of a new national minimum wage, organized labor closed all aviation agency entry points at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, according to a report published on Monday.
Due to this action, passangers and airlines were left trapped at the airport entrances, which had an impact on flight operations at the busiest airport in the country.
