KLT Customs Command Deepens Collaboration with Oil & Gas Operators to Bolster Compliance, Operational Efficiency
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its engagement with operators in the oil and gas sector as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance operational coordination, and safeguard government revenue.
At a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, 18th November 2025, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller E. J. Edelduok, described the oil and gas industry as a vital component of Nigeria’s economic stability and a major contributor to national revenue.
She highlighted the need for transparent documentation, accurate product accountability, and timely completion of Customs procedures to ensure the smooth discharge, storage, and evacuation of petroleum products across the Command’s operational corridor.
Comptroller Edelduok encouraged operators to table their operational concerns without reservation, assuring them that the Command remains committed to refining its internal processes in order to promote ease of doing business while upholding the integrity of government revenue.
Providing further clarity on vessel protocols, the Officer-in-Charge of Boarding, Superintendent of Customs Emmanuel Okoka, stressed that all foreign vessels calling at Nigeria for the first time must berth at a government jetty for mandatory Customs clearance before being permitted to proceed to private jetties.
He stated that this procedure is crucial for enforcing compliance checks, strengthening national security architecture, and protecting the nation’s revenue base.
The engagement also featured detailed discussions on vessel movement coordination, jetty discharge timelines, and the transfer of petroleum products to storage facilities.
Stakeholders lauded the Command for sustaining a participatory and collaborative approach, while proposing the issuance of a formal circular to standardise berthing procedures and eliminate ambiguities.
Comptroller Edelduok rounded off the session by reaffirming the Command’s unwavering commitment to transparency, improved accountability, and continuous synergy with industry stakeholders to ensure seamless petroleum product operations within the KLT axis.
