At the just concluded General Assembly meeting of WITSA which took place at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in conjunction with the World Congress on IT 2010, Nigeria’s Dr Jimson Olufuye was elected as the WITSA Vice-Chairman for Africa for the next two years.

IN LINE with Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko’s resolution to put an end to activities of smugglers, Ogun Area Command of the service has seized goods worth N 190,307,992.00 within eight months.

There are indication that the National Assembly would tinker with the Customs enabling law, the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) in order to make it more proactive to meet the challenges of a modern day customs service.

THE Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has concluded plans to construct its proposed Truck Terminal Project at Ijora, Lagos.

Managing Director of Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Alhaji Tayo Yahaya Rabiu, has emphasised the importance of quality and specialized training to the overall success of Destination Inspection (DI) and smooth trade facilitation at the nation’s ports.

Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Malam Abdul Salam Mohammed has said that the impression created of the Authority by retirees and serving employees as a “bottomless pit and sea never dry” must change if the organisation must progress.

The proposed strike called by the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) which was expected to ground port activities by Wednesday was Monday averted by the Minister of Transport, Yususf Sulaiman, who flew into Lagos meet with the leadership of the Association.

An indigenous player in the Nigerian maritime and aviation sectors, Sifax Group has announced major restructuring in its management cadre; a development which saw its group Managing Director, Dr Taiwo Afolabi being elevated to the status of Group Executive Vice Chairman.

The Maritime Industry Advocacy Initiative (MAIN) has given kudos to the House of Representatives; especially its committee on marine transport for making steady progress with the maritime sector bills that are at various stages of passage at the legislature.

THE Federal Government may revise its decision to introduce the controversial Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) Levy following petitions against the levy just as the House of Representative Committee on Marine Transport has summoned the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) following petitions against the project.

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has commended the Osun State government for signing the Osun State Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Bill 2009 into law, saying the decision is one of the most far-reaching efforts taken by any state in the Federation to safeguard public health.

NIGERIAN Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), has flayed the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) for not performing her core functions for more than 20 years now.

The Federal Government in collaboration with the National Sugar Development Council has flag off the disbursement of credits facility to members of 40 out-growers association in sugar sector.

As part of the Water of Life Project, a corporate social responsibility initiative of Guinness Nigeria Plc, the company has commissioned an all-inclusive water scheme at Iperu-Remo in Ikenne-Remo Local Government of Ogun State. The company donated the facilities to the community to give the people access to safe water.

WARRI — WITH the on-going reshuffling of political staff in the Presidency coming on the heels of the ascendency of Goodluck Jonathan as substantive President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, there are reports that a number of people, including a serving local government chairman in Delta North are been pencilled down for the position of special assistants to the President.