Alh Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, Minister of State for Communicationaji Muhammad Bello, Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said last week in Abuja that passports for this year’s Hajj were ready.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria that "we have finalised the design and printing of the passports and as a matter of fact, the distribution will begin nationwide soon’.

He added that preparations for this year’s Hajj started on Jan. 22, immediately after the last in-bound flight from Saudi Arabia touched down in Nigeria.

He said that the Commission has put plans in place to make this year’s Hajj hitch-free.

Bello said that a total of 95,000 pilgrims will perform this year’s Hajj out of which 10,000 will be covered by private tour operators.

He said that as part of efforts to have efficient service delivery, the air carriers and tour operators were thoroughly screened by the Commission and other relevant authorities.

He said that the introduction of foreign airlines this year was to raise the standard of operation and build a synergy between them and local operators to develop indigenous capability.

Alhaji Muhammad Bello enjoined pilgrims to this year’s Hajj to adhere to the luggage policy of the Commission to ensure a smooth exercise.

"If pilgrims abide by this policy, then chances are high that they will come back on the same flight with their luggage,’’ Bello said.

The luggage policy stipulates a maximum of 40kg suitcase and 10kg carry-on handbag for each pilgrim.

Bello recalled that some states that complied with the policy last year came back with their luggage on the same flight.

He added that the Commission, through the states pilgrims welfare boards, has embarked on orientation of pilgrims on the need for them to comply with this policy.

"The critical thing is for pilgrims to abide by the policy. It simply boils down to discipline on the part of pilgrims, officials and the air carriers,’’ Bello said

Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission says it will no longer handle any issue related to excess luggage which will henceforth be the responsibility of states’ pilgrims boards.

The public relations officer (PRO) of the commission, Uba Mana, who stated this last week, said the commission took the decision at a meeting with all the state pilgrims’ welfare boards  in Abuja aimed at ensuring a smooth Hajj operation this year.

Mana said the issue of excess luggage has been discussed with all the states Pilgrims Welfare boards extensively and assessed all its problems encountered in the past, at the end of the meeting, the issue of excess luggage was left totally with the state pilgrims’ welfare board, saying states will now enter into agreements with excess luggage careers on behalf of their pilgrims.