The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu has pledged to secure a befitting accommodation close to Al-Haram in Saudi Arabia for 2020 intending pilgrims from the territory.
Mr Austin Elemue, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said Aliyu gave the assurance when she joined the Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCT-MPWB) and his team to inspect pilgrims hotels within Al-Taiseer by Bin Laden Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The hotel is located about 300 metres from the Holy Mosque of Al-Haram in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The minister said her office was working assiduously to ensure that the 2020 pilgrims from FCT enjoyed an improve accommodation and an enhanced welfare to enable them perform Hajj rites with ease.
“The FCT administration has resolved to ensure that FCT pilgrims for 2020 Hajj are lodged in a befitting accommodation close to Haram.
“While performing Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I took time to join the Director FCT MPWB and his team on inspection of pilgrims hotels in Makkah.
“Meanwhile the Director and his team have continued negotiating with the Saudi service providers and awaiting the release of benchmark by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to finalise accommodation arrangements,’’ he said.
No fewer than 2000 pilgrims were expected to perform the 2020 Hajj through the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
