National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has revealed its plans to build a hotel with 500-room capacity in Kano State with a view to accommodating intending pilgrims while awaiting departure to Saudi Arabia during hajj operations in the state.
NAHCON chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, made the disclosure on Wednesday while inspecting facilities put in place for this year’s Hajj operation that is due to begin nationwide today in Kano.
He noted that building the hotel in the state had become necessary in view of the need for them to be accommodated properly before getting onboard through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA.
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Mr Muktar added that the hotel would also be used for commercial purposes after the Hajj operation to enable the commission to get a source of revenue and maintenance of the facility.
The chairman further disclosed that the commission is currently building a hospital in Hajj camp within the Kano metropolis, which, according to him, is nearing completion.
According to him, the health facility would cater for the need of pilgrims seeking medical attention before finally leaving Kano for the holy land.
He said: “We are mooting such idea of building the hotel to instill confidence in the mind of our intending pilgrims to appreciate the fact that we really care about them and always believe that they should enjoy the best of service.
“The capacity of the hotel we are planning to build would be a befitting one. We want to have suitable accommodation for them, instead of accommodating them in the pilgrims’ camp.”
While describing Kano as being the leading pace-setter in terms of preparations for this year’s hajj operations, the NAHCON chairman further revealed that the commission had concluded the necessary arrangements at home and in the holy land aimed at conducting a hitch-free exercise.
He, therefore, called on Nigerian pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country by shunning acts capable of dragging the good reputation of the country into the mud.
