Press Release from Government of Sierra Leone.
Government would like to inform the General Public that in a bid to facilitate 2014 hajj, a three man delegation led by Alhaji Moijue Kaikai, Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Nuru Deen Sankoh Yillah, Special Adviser to the President, and Dr. Ahmed Ramadan Jalloh, a member of the Hajj Committee visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in June 2014.
During their visit, the following agreements have already been concluded for a total of 1000 intending pilgrims from Sierra Leone:
1. Air Craft Services: agreement signed with Mr. Ahmed Sultan, Deputy CEO of NAS Air to transport all 1000 pilgrims from Sierra Leone to the Kingdom and back. An advance payment of $500,000 has already been made.
2. Service Contracts: signed with Hajj Ministry Office in Makkah and obtained the username and password for registration of pilgrims.
3. Car Syndicate Contract: signed the transportation regulations with the Chairman Mr. Ahmad Abdallah Sambawo of the car syndicate Office in Makkah and Medina.
4. United Agency Office: signed royalty contract which is a package for both Mina and Arafaat services and transportation costs between Makkah and Madina and the holy cities of Mina, Arafaat and Muzdalifah.
5. Mina Feeding Contract: signed an agreement with the Mu’asassat in Makkah to provide food, foams, pillows and blankets for all 1000 pilgrims during their stay in Mina and Arafaat.
6. Bank Guarantee and Tents Caution Fee: settled tent and housing caution fees with the Mu’asassat in Makkah through our Hajj account in the France Saudi Bank.
7. National Adillah Establishment in Medina: signed Hajj services contracts for Medina.
8. For the Makkah Housing an advance of 253,000 dollars for 1000 pilgrims has been paid; while for the Medinah Housing a total of 146,000 dollars has been paid in full.
Following recent developments in the outbreak of the Ebola virus, several consultations were held between the ministry and the ministry of Hajj Affairs in Saudi Arabia in an effort to have an understanding of our situation and allow our pilgrims to proceed on Hajj. Unfortunately and with heavy hearts at this latter point we have been informed by the Hajj Affairs ministry in a letter dated 12th August, 2014 and received on August 15th, 2014 signed by the Minister of Hajj Affairs himself, that all countries that have been confirmed by WHO as having the EBOLA disease will not be issued with visa to proceed on Hajj 2014.
In this regard all those who have paid into the Hajj Account are further advised to contact the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs on 078/030-481-111.
Dated 20th August 2014.
Photo: A scene during the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Comments