Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation, has called on states Pilgrims Welfare Boards to commence preparation for 2018 hajj in order to avoid late hour twists that could jeopardise smooth conduct of the exercise next year.

A statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, and Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, on Wednesday in Kaduna, urged boards to commence early preparation to avoid a rush-hour arrangement that could create hiccups during next year's pilgrimage.

"It is noteworthy that NAHCON has kick-started preparation and implementations of 2018 hajj blueprints, even before the return airlift of 2017 hajj pilgrims come to a close," the group said.

Recently, the apex hajj regulatory body placed advertorials inviting tour operators to apply for 2018 hajj seat allocation - a critical step forward.

It further said: "To complement NAHCON, states pilgrims board should begin the process of enlightening potential pilgrims on the need to register early. It is our belief that most of the challenges faced during this year hajj were due to late registration of pilgrims."

The statement reminds hajj stakeholders to factors the derivative lesson of 2017 hajj when late registration and its attendant controversy nearly jeopardised the exercise. Securing and signing contracts for accommodation, screening and appointing air carriers, mandatory deposits for services like car syndicates, pilgrims tents in Mina and Arafat, united agent services and payment for feeding and other logistics should be done early.

The groups said that “countries like India, Indonesia and Bangladesh have since began full scale preparation for 2018 hajj.”

It further urged NAHCON to advice hajj service providers to partake in pilgrims enlightenment programmes.

“As a critical stakeholders, service provides should invest in pilgrims orientation to complement NAHCON and state pilgrims board pilgrims enlightenment programmes. Pilgrims need to know the nature of services they offer.”