Nigeria intensifies tracking of compensation for Saudi crane victims

The Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission
of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Consulate in Saudi Arabia, is currently following up on the promised payouts for families of those killed and injured in last week’s crane crash tragedy at Grand Mosque Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
A total of six Nigerians lost their lives in the accident, while three were injured.
In a royal court order, the King of Saudi Arabia announced that there would be R1 million paid to each victim’s family, R1 million to those whose injuries resulted in permanent disability, and R500,000 for each of the injured pilgrims.
King Salman also announced that the Kingdom would host two family members of those who died for next year’s Hajj, while those who were injured and cannot complete their spiritual exercise this year would be able to return next year as the king’s guests.
Also, family members of the injured persons in hospitals would be granted visit visas to remain in the Kingdom.
Responding to an inquiry by Saturday Tribune shortly before leaving for Saudi Arabia, the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, said part of the efforts by the commission was to ensure that the money reached families of the bereaved as well as others earmarked to be beneficiaries.
He confirmed that the injured ones were stable and responding to treatment.
Mukhtar stated that there was no incidence of arrest of Nigerian government official in Saudi, contrary to some media reports.
He clarified that what happened was that pilgrims from a particular state who went to Mecca for personal business without their papers were detained by security agencies but were later released.
He disclosed that about 65, 000 pilgrims were airlifted to perform this year’s pilgrimage using Hajj flights.
Mukhtar expressed satisfaction that the carriers deployed right aircraft and improved on their schedule and catering services.