Over 3,000 Muslim pilgrims from the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) are now at the risk of contracting cholera as
sanitation situation deteriorated in their Mobark Hotel in Mecca, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
Since returning from Mina Camp last Sunday, the management of the hotel has been rationing water supply, a situation that makes every nook and cranny of the 14-level hotel stink.
Pilgrims are lamenting the sanitation situation as water is not running in the toilets and they now buy bottled water to perform ablution. Unfortunately, the management of the hotel has continued to turn deaf ears into several complaints from pilgrims.
Interestingly also, officials of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board that are supposed to look after the welfare of the pilgrims seem not concerned as they are no where to be found. Prior to the completion of Hajj rites, water supply to the hotel was regular.
Said one of male pilgrim who pleaded anonymity, "I can't understand why the management of the hotel should punish us this way. You will recall that before we went to Mina for Arafat, water supply was 24 hours. But since we came back, it has be epileptic supply and you can see flies everywhere.
"You can imagine people who are broke already now buying water to perform ablution.
But, how many bottled water can they buy to flush the toilets or bath? I think the FCT Minister should do something about it through the Amir-ul-Hajj.
"What bothers me most is that our officials (Welfare Board) are behaving as if they are not concerned. It is annoying that you don't even see them around. I only hope that they won't wait for outbreak of cholera before they call the hotel management to order."
All efforts to get in touch with the FCT Amir-ul-Hajj, Maj Gen. Bagudu Mamman proved abortive. Also, some of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board officials approached were evasive on the issue.
The pilgrims have completed Hajj rites but will need to remain in the hotel for another two weeks. From the flight schedule released Saturday night, the first batch of FCT pilgrims will be flown home on Friday, November 9 while the last batch will depart Jeddah on November 21, 2012.
Since returning from Mina Camp last Sunday, the management of the hotel has been rationing water supply, a situation that makes every nook and cranny of the 14-level hotel stink.
Pilgrims are lamenting the sanitation situation as water is not running in the toilets and they now buy bottled water to perform ablution. Unfortunately, the management of the hotel has continued to turn deaf ears into several complaints from pilgrims.
Interestingly also, officials of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board that are supposed to look after the welfare of the pilgrims seem not concerned as they are no where to be found. Prior to the completion of Hajj rites, water supply to the hotel was regular.
Said one of male pilgrim who pleaded anonymity, "I can't understand why the management of the hotel should punish us this way. You will recall that before we went to Mina for Arafat, water supply was 24 hours. But since we came back, it has be epileptic supply and you can see flies everywhere.
"You can imagine people who are broke already now buying water to perform ablution.
But, how many bottled water can they buy to flush the toilets or bath? I think the FCT Minister should do something about it through the Amir-ul-Hajj.
"What bothers me most is that our officials (Welfare Board) are behaving as if they are not concerned. It is annoying that you don't even see them around. I only hope that they won't wait for outbreak of cholera before they call the hotel management to order."
All efforts to get in touch with the FCT Amir-ul-Hajj, Maj Gen. Bagudu Mamman proved abortive. Also, some of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board officials approached were evasive on the issue.
The pilgrims have completed Hajj rites but will need to remain in the hotel for another two weeks. From the flight schedule released Saturday night, the first batch of FCT pilgrims will be flown home on Friday, November 9 while the last batch will depart Jeddah on November 21, 2012.
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