By Suleiman Idris, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board is to end the collection of hajj deposits for this year’s hajj by the end of February.
Muhammad Bashir, Director of the Board, gave this indication while briefing top management staff of the board after the first pre-hajj visit to Saudi Arabia.
Bashir disclosed that the measure was to enable the board comply with the March 16th deadline set up by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to complete the payment of seats allocated to the Board for 2018 hajj exercise.
The Director stated that the ongoing sales of hajj forms for the exercise would end by February regardless of the total number of intending pilgrims registered for the 2018 hajj through FCT.
He explained that the board has decentralized its services to the six area councils for the comfort of the intending Pilgrims who wish to register with the FCT and for administrative convenience.
Bashir said the board has reached advanced stage in preparation for the exercise in Saudi Arabia by securing comfortable accommodation in Makkah as well as feeding arrangements with service providers for the FCT contingents for the 2018 hajj exercise.
He therefore, directed staff of the board to be more dedicated to their duties in order to complement the successes recorded in previous hajj operations and warned them against any act capable of tarnishing the image of the Administration and the country at large.
The Director called for the cooperation of all staff and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the 2018 hajj exercise in line with the desire of the present Administration.
Bashir resumed office in December last year after successful completion of a one year course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos Plateau.
