(File photo) Nigerian pilgrims going for Hajj

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC has asked Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC to investigate the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed over N1.8 Billion E-wristband contract for the 2016 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The group had alleged in the petition to EFCC alleged that the NAHCON Chairman insisted on the award of the contract for the wristbands despite the fact that other members rejected it because Saudi Arabia is already implementing a similar scheme for all pilgrims starting from 2016 Hajj.

The petition reads: “The executive chairman is alleged to have also spearheaded the NAHCON E- project after the unfortunate incident of stampede at the 2015 Hajj. The Chairman is accused of initiating the project to fleece the commission and pilgrims of hundreds of millions of Naira.

“The Project was allegedly implemented In spite of opposition to and rejection of the project by his management team. The rejection is said to be based on the commitment of Saudi Arabia government in implementing E- wristbands for all pilgrims starting from 2016 Hajj.”

The petitioner alleged that the contracts for E-wristbands were awarded to four companies as follows: Lot 1 (Northwest) and Lot 3 (South South/West/East) with a total of 39,931 pilgrims awarded to two companies allegedly fronting for the Executive Chairman and Lot 2 (North East and Central) with a total of 25,061 pilgrims awarded to another company allegedly fronting for the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal (His office oversees NAHCON) while Lot 4 (International Pilgrims) with a total of 10,000 pilgrims went to a company allegedly fronting for the Director of Procurement at NAHCON.

“On this wristband project, each pilgrim is charged N25,000 and a total of 74,992 pilgrims for 2016 Hajj, amounting to N1,874,800,000 (one billion, eight hundred and seventy four million, eight hundred million Naira). Meanwhile, the actual quoted cost for the job was N14, 350 which amounted to N1, 076,135,200.”

The petition noted further that an agreement was allegedly reached on the payment of differential in the amount charged pilgrims and that it would be paid to the companies and be remitted to the leadership of NAHCON.

“Please note, the Saudi government did announce on the 29th of June, 2016 its readiness to give all pilgrims E-wristbands with a better version starting from this year Hajj. In view of this, it is important to know:

(a) Why NAHCON insisted on charging Nigerian pilgrims for the wristband if Saudi Arabia is providing a much better version

(b) Why NAHCON is still going on with the wristband project in spite of official confirmation from Saudi Arabia on its readiness to provide wristbands?

(c) Who are the promoters of the companies awarded the wristband contract and at what cost?

(d) How much is NAHCON charging the pilgrims for the wristband?

“CSNAC is therefore with this petition, demanding your prompt and urgent investigation of this matter,” the anti-corruption network stated.

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organizations whose primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously.