Makinde Urges Intending Muslim Pilgrims to Be Patient as Govt Resolves Bottlenecks

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Oyo state Engineer Governor Seyi Makinde has appealed to Muslim pilgrims on awaiting list to exercise patience as his administration would synergize with the national Hajj commission in resolving administrative bottlenecks causing delays.

The Governor who made the appeal when he received some of the intending pilgrims on a peaceful protest to his office, acknowledged that though the challenges were due to backlog caused by COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions based on visa quota amongst others, but his administration would take necessary actions and responsibilities in ensuring intending pilgrims shortlisted from Oyo state were airlifted.

Explaining further the Governor noted that Oyo state initially got a list of 629 intending pilgrims, there-after an additional 150 making 779, which should not have been mixed up to give advantage to the first batch, while assuring the concern intending pilgrims that the situation would be resolved to their benefit.

Governor Makinde also expressed shock on the poor state of social facilities and conveniences at the Olodo Hajj camp Ibadan, promising to quickly address the challenge to enable intending pilgrims enjoy standard social facilities at the camp subsequently.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the pilgrims on awaiting list, Alhaji Adebayo Gafar lamented their ordeal, especially the trauma of selling off personal belongings to meet deadline for payments and enduring uncomfortable experiences at the Olodo Hajj camp, appealing to the Governor to intervene in ensuring their efforts were not in vain by being airlifted.

They equally presented a list of all intending pilgrims yet to be airlifted to Governor Seyi Makinde for consideration and to expedite actions.