Sultan Abubakar Commissions Hajj Transit Camp Named after him in Bauchi, Applauds Governor
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
A multi million naira hajj transit camp constructed by Bauchi State Government has been commissioned by his eminence Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar which he described as a legacy project bequeathed to the state by the present administration of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Sultan Abubakar at the commissioning, applauded Governor Mohammed for his foresight and long term vision in initiating the project that will ease the airlifting of intending pilgrims from the state.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar who expressed gratitude to the governor for naming the facility after his name, pledged to contribute positively towards effective utilization of the camp.
Speaking at the project site near Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed said the construction of the new Hajj Camp is to provide an alternative not only for the safety and comfort of intending pilgrims, but to provide conducive environment for officials of the state’s pilgrims welfare board during hajj exercise.
He said the facility has an administrative block, camp clinic, screening hall, multipurpose hall, a mosque and ablution area, lock-up shops, food canteen, male and female hostels, kitchen and other conveniences.
“It was pursuant to this noble objective that on assumption of office as the Governor of Bauchi State, I went round on inspection to assessed the condition of existing infrastructure across the state. It was during one of such inspection visits that I went to the Games Village which has been used as a temporary Hajj Camp over the years.”
“What I saw during the visit at the facility is to say the least, pathetic and for such building to be used as Hajj Camp therefore amounted to callous indifference to the safety and comfort of intending pilgrims.”
The governor therefore requested for the support and intervention of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in areas that include body and luggage scanners and transportation to further meet the requirements of a well-equipped international camping facility for intending pilgrims.
“I would like at this juncture to draw the attention of the State Muslim Welfare Board to ensure proper utilization and maintenance of this Hajj Camp so that it could stand the test of time.”
On his part, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Operations, Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa appreciated the commitment of Governor Bala Mohammed in the area of ensuring the welfare of intending pilgrims, describing the newly constructed permanent Hajj Camp as one of the best so far in the entire African continent.