NAHCON Chair Denies Crippling Commission’s Board Work
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON), Prof. Saleh Usman, has strongly denied allegations that he had crippled the work of the commission’s board.
Prof.Usman in a statement signed by him,said every member of the board is being accorded their entitlements according to the rules guiding the operations of the office.
He said the allegations and complaints levelled against him by some non-executive members of the board were baseless.
He said some of the claims include the non-inclusion of the board’s non-executive members in procurement activities,non-purchase of official vehicles for non-executive members and his deliberate refusal to attend to them.
“It is imperative to note that by virtue of their position, these non-Executive Board members have no any specific role, in either procurement Act or the NAHCON Act, particularly in Procurement and administrative activities.
“According to the provision of Rule 2 of the NAHCON Act the status and function of all members of the Board. @The Chairman and Three full members of the Commission shall serve on full-time basis. The remaining six members, at least two of whom should be women, shall serve on part-time basis, ” the chairman clarified among other things.
He expressed displeasure at the behaviour and manner of some of the non-executive members for their deliberate inability to report or even advise him on any of the allegations.
“As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, I think I deserve to be informed about any of the above-mentioned claims, to enable me to take appropriate action.
” I feel that, those who are perpetrating all these allegations have no other motive than to distract the attention of the Commission in order to sabotage the already planned 2025 Hajj operation,” he said.
Prof.Usman, therefore,urged all executive and non-executive members of the board, all members of NAHCON staff, Executives of State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Commissions/Agencies, Private operators and other relevant stakeholders to join hands with the commission so as to have a hitch- free Hajj operation.
He commended President Tinubu and his Vice President Kashim Shettima for believing in him and also for their efforts in ensuring a successful 2025 Hajj operations.