The Chairman, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission,NCPC, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh charged the bidders for the 2016 pilgrimage exercise to stick to the details of their agreement with the Commission.

He gave this charge during the 2016 bid opening ceremony at NCPC Corporate headquarters Abuja.

He explained that the Commission does not work in isolation but in synergy with the government, thus urged them not to deviate from the rules binding the agreement to avoid hitches.

The NCPC chairman stated that the aircraft business is a delicate one, as many lives are involved in the flight, thus urged them to stay away if they are unprepared.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara said that the Commission have done so much to put things in place; and as such of cutting corners would not be acceptable, adding that those who put the right documents in place would be successful in the bidding process.

Mr. Opara promised that the Commission is fully prepared to open the bid in line with due process of the procurement act.

In his remarks, Senator Tijani Kaura, Chairman Federal Character and inter governmental affairs, commended the Executive Secretary  of NCPC for his commitment and described him as a humble, prudent, hardworking and innovative man. 

He appreciated the efforts the Commission has employed to ensure that transparency and accountability are upheld in the bid opening, urging the ground handlers and aircarriers to reciprocate the Commission’s efforts by handling the Nigeria pilgrims the best way possible and rendering them the best services.

In her remarks, Sen. Mosurat Sunmonu, chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, urged the ground handlers to make sure the pilgrims are well taken care of in order to ensure that they enjoy their stay while in the Holy land.

Those present at the bid opening were members of the National Assembly, the Federal Commissioners and observers from Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Airport Authority and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

In the 2016 bid opening, nine ground handlers and four Air Carriers participated in the bidding exercise.