Transport for London (TfL) in UK has called on the Nigerian government to settle its outstanding embassy congestion charge, which has accumulated to £8.4 million over nearly 20 years.
Nigeria is among a list of 48 countries whose embassies have unpaid congestion charges since 2003, ranking fourth on the list.
Topping the list is the United States, with an outstanding debt of nearly £15 million.
Japan follows with £10 million, and India’s High Commission ranks third with £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,” stated the UK government.
TfL emphasized that the congestion charge is for a service, not a tax, making it applicable to all, including diplomats.
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The UK government is considering escalating the issue to the International Court of Justice to enforce penalties on nations that continue to refuse payment.
“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 stated.
The callout echoed Nigerian FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s appeal in February, when he urged the British High Commission and other foreign embassies to pay their ground rent or face the risk of license revocation.
Mr. Wike stated that the British High Commission owed the Nigerian government $1,000.
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