Yakubu Bala, Secretary to Kebbi State Government (SSG), has explained the reasons for the change of venue for transporting the state prospective pilgrims from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, to Sokoto.

The SSG disclosed this while addressing journalists on the new development in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

The Kebbi State prospective pilgrims were initially billed to take off from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, on Saturday.

Mr Bala recalled that there was an agreement between the Kebbi State government and the Flynas Airline that “The company will come here (Kebbi) to airlift our intending pilgrims for Saudi Arabia and bring them back to Kebbi after they might have performed their pilgrimage.

“In view of this, the government had installed all the needed facilities in the airport as requested by the company.

“This facility upgrade has even earned the state commendation from the National Hajj Commission as well as the Federal Airports Authority.”

He said the company again complained about aviation fuel and hotel accommodation while the state government agreed to supply them even though it was not its duty.

According to him, the duo assured the state government that the prospective pilgrims would be transported from Kebbi. He added that the authorities concerned then deployed Federal Fire Service staff and other personnel aiding air operations to facilitate smooth take-off.

He, however, lamented that upon all the efforts, the government received a letter from the Flynas Airline that: “Our intending pilgrims must go to Sokoto for take-off.”

The SSG said the scheduled time for the take-off remained Saturday at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto.

While advising the pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and Kebbi, the SSG urged them to be disciplined and law-abiding citizens. 

(NAN)