The Nigerian high commission in London, United Kingdom (UK), has accumulated £8.4 million as unpaid congestion charges. A datasheet published by Transport for London (TfL) showed that the amount relates to unpaid fees and fines accrued by diplomats between the launch of the congestion charge in 2003 and the end of last year. The TfL oversees various modes of transportation in London, including the tube, buses, trams, cars, bikes, and river services. The scheme involves a £15 daily fee for driving within an area of central London between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays and between noon and 6 pm on weekends and bank holidays. There are discounts and exemptions for various groups of people and vehicles, such as residents, taxis, and fully electric cars. Diplomats have argued that the congestion charge is a tax, exempting them from paying it under the Vienna Convention, but the TfL insisted that the payment is a service charge. “This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it,” the body said in the datasheet seen by TheCable. “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.” According to TfL, the envoys representing different countries owed over £143.53 million in congestion charge payments. The embassies of the US and Japan are the worst offenders, with debts of £14.6 million and £10.1 million, respectively. India is in third place with £8.5 million, while Nigeria stands in fourth. Other countries on the list include Russia, China, Poland, Ghana, Kenya, and France. The five-page document listed Togo as the country with the least charges at £40. “We will continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and related penalty charge notices,” TfL said, adding that it is pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

  The Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom has reported local airline operator Air Peace to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over the airline’s alleged non-compliance with some safety regulations in the UK. A spokesman for the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, told Channels Television on Monday that the regulator received some complaints from its British counterpart over Air Peace operations at the Gatwick Airport in London. Achimugu said the safety concerns were raised during a ramp inspection by UKCAA. It was learnt that two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace were sent to the UKCAA which subsequently forwarded the complaints to its Nigerian counterpart. The NCAA spokesman noted that the authority has written Air Peace to clarify the issues raised about its operations at Gatwick. Achimugu stressed that the complaints raised by the UKCAA fell under less serious categories of violations and not the Level 1 category which is for serious safety non-compliance. “The complaints do not mean that the airline can no longer operate at the Gatwick airport. The NCAA has communicated the complaints to the airline. Investigation is ongoing,” he said. Air Peace Responds When contacted, Air Peace Spokesman Stanley Olisa simply said the airline would officially respond to the complaints. He subsequently sent our correspondent the airline’s official statement on the matter. “We can confirm that the UK Civil Aviation Authority wrote to Air Peace, after their statutory Ramp Inspection on April 7, 2024, to request clarification on our use of the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and some other concerns,” the statement partly read. “We provided the necessary information, and the matter was resolved without any issues.” “It is, therefore, wrong to say we do not have approval for our EFB. Air Peace received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and all our Boeing 777 aircraft are certified to operate with EFBs.” The airline further said, “Regarding the claim that our B777 aircraft lack iPad mounts and charging ports in the flight deck, this is incorrect. All B777 aircraft are equipped with charging ports in the cockpit, and we ensure that all our B777 aircraft have iPad mounts. “Another issue raised by the UK CAA was the location of our cockpit library on the B777. The B777 designates two locations for storing manuals and books: one behind the captain and one under the jumpseat. During the inspection, the books were stored under the jumpseat, as it is commonly practised. We understand the inspector’s preference for the books to be placed behind the captain and have ensured this preference is accommodated for all operations going forward. “There was also a concern about the captain’s choice of runway exit after landing. Instead of exiting at the middle runway exit, the captain, out of his professional discretion, opted to exit at the end of the runway. This may have delayed the arrival of another aircraft. We acknowledge this deviation and have addressed the matter with the captain to ensure adherence to preferred exit procedures in the future.” Air Peace said safety record assured passengers of its commitment to safety and full compliance. Air Peace At Gatwick On March 30, 2024, Air Peace reciprocated the lopsided Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom when the local airline began direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London. On April 25, 2024, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo gave approval for the airline to add Abuja to its London route. The development has been applauded by many industry observers, with more local airlines being encouraged to commence international flights to profitable routes. The price of an international flight ticket on the Lagos-London route was as high as N3.5 million, but with Air Peace pegging a return economy class ticket for N1.2 million, foreign airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways have been forced to slash their prices to stay competitive. The entrance of Air Peace on the London route has sparked a price war, with foreign carriers now underpricing to stay in business. Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema had slammed foreign carriers for “devilish conspiracy” to frustrate the airline out of the route.

  The 210,000-barrel-per-day Port-Harcourt refinery may finally commence operations by the end of July after several postponements. The new date was disclosed on Monday by the National Public Relations Officer, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu. He stated that the development would stimulate economic activities, reduce the price of petroleum products and ensure adequate supply. Last year in December, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the mechanical completion and flare start-off of the biggest crude refinery in Port Harcourt.   The refineries comprise two units, with the old plant having a refined capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and the new plant has 150,000 BPD. The refinery shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of a technical adviser of Itay’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the reviews of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed technical adviser. On March 15, 2024, it was reported that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, stated that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in about two weeks. The NNPC boss disclosed this during a press briefing after he appeared before the Senate Ad hoc committee investigating the various turnaround maintenance projects of the country’s refineries. He said, “We did a mechanical completion of the refinery that was what we said in December. We now have crude oil already stocked in the refinery. We are doing regulatory compliance tests that must happen in every refinery before you start it, and I assure you that this Port Harcourt refinery will start in two weeks.” However, the machinery had yet to begin operations two months after he made the promise. In an exclusive interview on Monday, the IPMAN official stated that the work done represented a complete turnaround, not just rehabilitation, emphasising that every effort would be made to meet the July deadline. Ukadike said, “Yes when we visited the place, the MD told us that the refinery was almost ready and by the end of July, they would start producing. It has been turned into a new one they changed all the armoured cable to brand new and everything there is almost like a brand-new refinery. “The turnaround on maintenance is very massive and the job is being done day and night. All hands are on deck to make sure that they meet that target. By ending of July the refinery should be ready.” When reminded of several promises by the government to kick start the project, Ukadike replied, “Yes, there have been delays but they didn’t tell us any reason for the delay of the last deadline given in April. “They are not facing any challenges at all; I can say the refinery is 99 per cent ready. “What we want is competition. I am very sure that with the two refineries, the price of petrol will be reduced. Dangote is coming soon and the Port Harcourt refinery is almost ready too and that is very good. We need that competition for the benefit of the nation.” The new timeline coincides with a proposal by the Dangote Refinery to commence petrol production by ending of next month (June). The Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, while speaking at the Africa CEO forum annual summit in Kigali, assured Nigerians that following the laid-down plans of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria would no longer need to import petrol starting next month. According to him, the refinery can meet West Africa’s petrol and diesel needs, as well as the continent’s aviation fuel demand. With an average monthly consumption of 1 billion litres, Nigeria currently spends approximately N520bn on the importation of PMS every month. This means the government may cut approximately N6.2tn yearly import bill. Commenting, the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, said regulatory approvals from international bodies were the only impediment stalling the operational commencement of the refinery. Soneye in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Monday reiterated that mechanical completion had been achieved, and all pipes were operating flawlessly, transporting crude oil supplied by Shell. He said, “We have said that the mechanical completion has been done and every other thing is done. There is crude oil and all the pipes are working; we are only waiting for regulatory approvals. Like I said, some of our materials and the things we use have to do with nuclear and we need the nuclear authorities to give us approval to use all those things at the site. “And some of these approvals come from bodies outside of Nigeria. Until they give us those approvals, we can’t begin operations. We are ready to go but if something happens without it, which would be another issue. Everything has been completed in terms of our work, and once we get those approvals, it will start operations.”

  Gunmen suspected to be assassins have reportedly launched attacks at Okija, Ihiala local government Area of Anambra state, killing two persons after kidnapping two others. Sources told Blueprint that the incident occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning left the natives and residents in fear as none could reveal the reasons behind the unfortunate incidents. Sources alleged that the victims, Barrister Peter Awah, who is secretary general of Okija Development Union (ODU), was killed at 11pm at Eke Umudioka, Okija, while Mr Izuchukwu Igwenagha (Onwa), a key player in land matters was shot dead at his house Monday morning over suspected land dispute. Also, one Mr. Kingsley Madueke referred to as owner of the KC building materials was kidnapped around the same time on Sunday night. “The land seller who was shot in the morning was from Ihitte Okija. The lawyer who was shot in the night was from Umuohi Okija. The building materials trader who was kidnapped last night is from Uhudim Okija,” the source said. However, the Anambra state Police Command in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had launched investigation into the case, noting that “Preliminary information reveals that the assailants operating in motorbikes, shot the deceased as he was about to alight his vehicle for safety when he was approached by the murderers. “The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while commiserating with the family and friends of the deceased the Nigeria Bar Association and the people of Okija,” he said

  Tuesday 21 May 2024 Food imports hit N3tn over flooding, insecurity – CBN Wike, Fubara faceoff can destabilise Niger Delta – Jonathan Minimum wage: Labour insists on May 31 deadline as talks resume today FG, UAE plan new oil exploration deal State police solution to worsening insecurity – Senate Leader Rectors debate proposal to replace HND with Bachelor of Technology Iran President Had ‘Lot Of Blood On His Hands’ — White House Reps Knock FCCPC For Not Protecting Cement Users UK Regulator Reports Air Peace To NCAA Over Alleged Safety Violations ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrant For Netanyahu, Hamas Over ‘War Crimes’ Salaries Of Judiciary Stagnated In Past 16 Years- Fagbemi Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Fresh Bail Request, Removal From DSS Custody Court Dismisses Mamu’s Request For Transfer From DSS Custody AGF, Finance Minister, Others Back 300% Salary Raise For Judicial Officers Three Men Arraigned For Assaulting Medical Doctor In Ogun Oba Of Benin Accuses EFCC Of Aiding Crimes Alleged Safety Violations At Gatwick Addressed — Air Peace PoS: Anger, frustration over high cost of cash withdrawals Fresh tension rises between Okuama-Ewu, Okoloba Unpaid congestion charges in London: Nigerian high commission accumulates £8.4m Naira appreciates to N1,475/$ in parallel market Peter Obi donates N10m to nursing school in Anambra We’ve raised N4.9trn for Ways and Means securitisation, says DMO ‘Transfer of electricity regulatory oversight remains’ Bello: Hearing in EFCC’s boss appeal against contempt adjourned indefinitely Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Monday, dismissed a fresh bail application filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The court equally refused Kanu’s request to be either transferred to prison custody or placed on house arrest. However, it ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to always grant Kanu access to his team of lawyers, not exceeding five persons on every visiting day. In addition, the court ordered that Kanu must be given “a clean place” to consult with his lawyers at the DSS detention facility, adding that he must be granted access to a doctor of his choice. But unhappy with the ruling, the detained leader of IPOB, vented his anger on the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, labelling him a “terrorist.” In the dismissed fresh application, Kanu had prayed the court to release him on bail, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government filed against him. However, Justice Binta Nyako in her ruling said she was not minded to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant, whom she said jumped the bail it earlier granted him. Justice Nyako noted that those who stood surety for the defendant had, after he escaped from the country, approached the court and applied to be discharged from the case. She held that the sureties, in their applications, claimed that they were not aware of the whereabouts of the defendant, a situation that forced the court to order the forfeiture of their N100 million bail bonds. According to the trial court, the issue is currently pending before the Court of Appeal. It held that having refused Kanu’s request for bail on several occasions, the only option available to him was to take the matter before the appellate court. Meanwhile, Justice Nyako warned that any attempt by Kanu’s legal team to file similar applications before the court would be regarded as a gross abuse of the judicial process. “You have an option of appeal; please exercise your right of appeal,” the trial judge added But responding with anger, Kanu, who addressed the court from the dock, denied the allegation that he jumped the bail that was previously granted to him, insisting that he only escaped an attempt to assassinate him. He told the court that the government acted in breach of international treaties it entered into, when it forcefully arrested him in Kenya and rendered him back to the country for the continuation of his trial. Kanu then his attention to the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and angrily labeled him a “terrorist”. Kanu said he was surprised that the senior lawyer, who is currently the Chairman of the Nigeria Body of Benchers, could not advise the government properly. He insisted that going by the provision of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, he could no longer be tried since Nigeria breached international treaties that forbade the forceful arrest and rendition he was subjected to. He argued that both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, in their various decisions, declared his forceful rendition from Kenya as an act of illegality. Displaying the bundle of law books he entered the dock with, said: “My lord, you said in your earlier ruling that you will not grant me bail until you make a determination about the reason for my disappearance. But you have not done so. “At this stage, I am of the opinion that you can’t try me without first looking into that. The criminals came to my house to kill me. “I don’t understand why my trial must be conducted contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is the laws of Nigeria as at today. This court is in violation of laws of Nigeria. Section 2(3) (f) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, is very clear.” this juncture, the prosecution, Awomolo, SAN, tried to interject by asking Kanu’s legal team to call him to order Turning his attention to Chief Awomolo, the detained IPOB leader said: “This man is a terrorist for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria entered into. Once a treaty is entered into and signed, it becomes a law. They are all terrorists! No court can try me in Nigeria. Anything done in violation of any treaty entered into by Nigeria is an act of terrorism. This man here is a terrorist as at today. He is a dishonest man! You are a terrorist! Who the hell are you? Follow what the law says. “I have been in detention for over three years. You are the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and you are violating the laws of this country,” Kanu fumed. But dumbfounded by Kanu’s outburst, Awomolo simply said, he was not angry about it. “I am not a terrorist and I am not provoked by the action of the defendant. It is understandable. He is only being emotional,” the senior lawyer added. Justice Nyako subsequently adjourned the matter to June 19 and 20.