Hajj: Group decries scarcity of E-passport booklet

The Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation that reports hajj and umrah activities on Monday called on the Nigeria Immigration Services to ensure the availability of the e-passport.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Ibrahim Mohammed, who made this known in a statement, specifically called for the provision of the 32-page, five-year validity (adults and minors) e-passport for hajj 2020 intending pilgrims.

Mohammed said that scarcity of the e-passport is slowing down the registration of intending pilgrims in Nigeria.

“Reports emanating from our members, especially in Kaduna, Yobe and Kebbi states show that virtually all intending pilgrims who applied to obtain the e-passport were told that the booklet was not available.

“Instead, they had their data captured and asked to go and wait. Most intending pilgrims, whose data have been captured, are yet to receive the e-passport booklets,” Mohammed said.

He said the timely issuance of the e-passport to intending pilgrims was vital to the success of Hajj 2020, and it should be a top priority to all hajj stakeholders in the country.

“Registration of pilgrims, documentation of pilgrim’s bio-data, processing of visa and issuance of relevant financial and other important hajj travelling documents are based on the e-passport data page.

“For example, guidelines for pilgrims’ registration for hajj 2020 issued by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) makes e-passport a pre- requisite identity document before any intending pilgrim could be registered.

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“Item 3.2 (iii), under registration of intending pilgrims, states that intending pilgrims must possess Nigerian travels documents.

“Item ix, categorically states that intending pilgrims must have an e-passport with a validity period of at least six months from the date of departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Therefore, we urge the Nigerian Immigration Service and other related government agencies to do all it can to ensure the availability of this important travel document for hajj 2020 intending pilgrims.

“Reports reaching IHR indicates that shortage of the e-passport booklet is discouraging some intending pilgrims, especially those from rural areas, who spend money on transport to the immigration offices in search of the document,’’ Mohammed said.

According to him, hajj operations are about early planning and timely implementation of pre-hajj activities, especially the off-shore documentation of pilgrims to enable proper data compilation for airlifts and other services.