ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The UK Transport for London (TfL) has called on the Nigerian government, listed among a “stubborn minority” of debtors, to settle its embassy congestion charge arrears, which have accumulated to £8.4 million over approximately 20 years.
Nigeria, with an outstanding amount of £8,395,055, ranks fourth among the UK’s 48 foreign debtors that have failed to pay embassy rent since 2003, Peoples Gazette reports.
The American embassy tops the list, owing nearly £15 million, followed by Japan (£10 million) and the High Commission for India (£8.5 million).
“The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels,” the UK government stated.
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TfL clarified further that the embassy congestion charge is a fee for a service, not a tax, making it applicable to diplomats.
“The congestion charge is a charge for a service and not a tax,” TfL emphasized, adding that “diplomats are not exempted from paying it.”
The UK government is pushing to escalate the issue to the International Court of Justice to ensure that non-compliant nations face penalties.
“We will continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and related penalty charge notices and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice,” TfL added.
This callout echoes Nigerian FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s appeal in February, where he urged the British High Commission and other foreign embassies to pay their ground rent or risk license revocation.
According to Wike, the British High Commission owes the Nigerian government $1,000.