Leader of Kebbi Pilgrims during the 2012 Hajj, Alhaji Garba Dandiga has called for strict restrictions on aged persons travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. Dandiga made the suggestion while presenting the report of the exercise to Gov. Saidu Dakingari on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.
He advised that such intending pilgrims must also be made to undergo fitness test, and those who passed be accompanied by relatives who would shoulder their burden. Dandiga also advised the state government against recruiting untrained people as guides, saying some of them were caught stealing the Basic Travelling Allowances of pilgrims.
“We recommend that henceforth elderly people without guides be screened to determine their fitness, while local government guides be also screened and trained by the Pilgrims Welfare Agency to avoid encountering problems.”
He appreciated the conduct of the pilgrims, which he said had earned the state a commendation letter by the Saudi Arabian Government. Responding, Gov. Dakingari commended the committee for the report, which he said was timely, and pledged to implement the recommendations.
“My administration would ensure that problems encountered bythe pilgrims were resolved, and I call on this year's intending pilgrims to sustain the exemplary conduct exhibited by the 2012 pilgrims.'' (NAN)