Chairman, National Com-mittee on Hajj 2003, Professor Abubakar Gwandu, said in Abuja yesterday that 30 Nigerians died during this year's pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.

Briefing newsmen on the operations, Gwandu said the figure was 20 less than that of last year during which 50 Nigerians died during pilgrimage.

He said four women were delivered of babies during the holy pigrimage.

Gwandu said there would continue to be problems with Hajj operations unless government began to plan early enough for it.

He said the success of this year's Hajj was hinged on the use of approved suitcases by pilgrims, but expressed regret that suitcases supplied to pilgrims were of poor quality.

``When we took delivery of the suitcases, we knew they were sub-standard, but to have rejected them at the last minute would have made nonsense of the operation,'' the chairman said.

He said it was unfortunate that some states did not take delivery of the suitcases, while others got theirs late.

Gwandu explained that beca-use members of the committee were appointed late, state pilgrims welfare boards could not collect money from prospective pilgrims and make payment to airlines in time and that this affected the operation.