As pilgrims prepared to return to their various countries after five days of hajj rites, the death toll of Nigerian pilgrims has risen to 14 amid rising fears that the outbound flights may yet be delayed.
Speaking at the post-Arafat meeting with all hajj stakeholders, the Amir Hajj, Senator Teslim Folarin, said though death is inevitable, that of the pilgrims is painful and regretable, adding that some of the deaths could be avoided.
He said while most of the deaths were caused by cardiac arrest, some were caused by road accident and stroke.
"We will look at the circumstances leading to their deaths at the end of the day and look at how to prevent a reoccurence in the future," he added.
On the outbound flight, he said the federal government’s delegation has directed the airlines to make sure that bigger aircrafts are made available for the return journey. According to him, though there were existing contracts between the airlines and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the federal government would not hesitate to revoke any of the contracts. He touguelashed the airlines for not living up to the expectation of both the government and the people.
His words: "After one week, if we are not satisfied with the level of commitment of the airlines; if they don’t measure up, we are going to intervene and put them in line. Government will not tolerate any derelection of duty on the part of the airlines, and we will will make sure that no pilgrim is stranded. We will intervene at the right time."
He urged the states’ pilgrim boards to live up to expectation and make sure the pilgrims were briefed on developments from time to time.
Besides, Folarin said it was critical that pilgrims were educated about the luggage policy of the federal government, adding that it was necessary to reiterate the importance of making sure that a luggage must not exceed 40 kilogrammes. He urged the pilgrims, most of whom would be going to the city of Medina, to pray For President Umaru Yar’Adua and the country.
Folarin did not spare the states for not doing enough in the screening exercise. He said it was unjustifiable for women who are heavily pregnant to be cleared to travel to hajj.
Amomg prominent pilgrims at the meeting include the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore, Ministers of State of Foreign Affairs, Finance, members of the National Assembly, deputy governors and others.
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