Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed on Monday commissioned the multi-million naira newly constructed permanent Bauchi Hajj Camp named Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Pilgrims 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.
According to him, the edifice has been constructed according to international standard and is one of the best so far in the entire African continent.
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 conviniences.
The governor said all these have been provided for the optimum comfort and safety of intending pilgrims while waiting to be airlifted to the Holy land.
“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.”
Governor Bala Mohammed recalled that, one of the cardinal objectives of his administration is to provide infrastructure facilities and other social amenities for the welfare and well-being of the people of the state.
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.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar who commissioned the multi-million naira newly constructed BauchiHajj Camp, applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for his foresight to initiate the facility.
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.
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.
