Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko, Benue, has intensified efforts to reinforce highway security, strengthen drivers’ competence and promote their welfare by way of common coaching, performance-based incentives, improved monitoring and expanded healthcare help for truck drivers.
The initiatives had been highlighted on the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat held on the firm’s plant in Gboko, Benue State, on Thursday, the place administration reaffirmed its dedication to defending lives and constructing a stronger security tradition throughout its transport operations.
The retreat follows comparable initiatives beforehand organised for drivers on the firm’s Ibese and Obajana crops.
Speaking on the retreat, with the theme: “Think Safety, Act Safely,” Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, described drivers as the general public face of the corporate and counseled them for delivering merchandise throughout the nation beneath difficult highway and climate circumstances.
He mentioned security should take precedence over supply targets, urging drivers to conduct correct car checks, observe pace limits, put on seat belts, keep away from telephone distractions and take accepted relaxation intervals.
Pathak additionally inspired drivers to report unsafe practices and intervene when colleagues appeared fatigued or unfit to drive, describing such actions as important to stopping accidents and saving lives.
He assured the drivers that administration would think about their considerations about routes, loading factors, car circumstances, relaxation amenities and welfare, promising to overview their strategies and take acceptable motion.
Dangote Cement Nigeria’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, mentioned the retreat offered a possibility to recognise excellent drivers whose conduct and dedication to security might function examples to others.
He disclosed that award recipients would obtain personalised awards, particular shirts, cell phones and different items to encourage accountable driving and promote compliance with highway security requirements.
Silva, nevertheless, pressured that the corporate would proceed to implement its driving laws, warning that offences resembling proxy driving, unlawful haulage, rushing and drunk driving or use of illicit medicine might appeal to disciplinary motion, together with dismissal.
The firm’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment in Transport for Africa and Nigeria, Mrs Ebere Okonkwo, mentioned it was strengthening supervision by way of the set up of in-truck cameras to assist monitor drivers’ conduct and establish security violations.
She noticed that monitoring system, alongside common coaching and enforcement, was supposed to scale back harmful driving and maintain enhancements in transport security.
Okonkwo added that the retreat supplied administration a direct alternative to listen to from drivers, establish operational difficulties and observe up on options.
On welfare, she disclosed that the corporate’s well being upkeep plan coated drivers, their spouses and as much as 4 youngsters.
Drivers additionally endure primary medical checks, together with blood strain and eyesight examinations, earlier than journeys, with these requiring additional consideration referred to medical doctors.
Okonkwo acknowledged that though challenges remained, she said that sustained coaching, monitoring and enforcement had contributed to enhancements in security requirements.
Plant Director, Abhijit Dutta, urged members to make efficient use of the retreat to enhance their driving expertise {and professional} conduct.
Similarly, Assistant Superintendent of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Enlightenment Officer, Gboko Area Command, Abu Ann, suggested drivers to keep away from drug and substance abuse.
She warned that it might impair judgment, injury very important organs and improve the chance of deadly highway accidents.
The Human Resources Transport officer on the Gboko Plant, Ahmed Rufai, outlined disciplinary measures for offences together with reckless driving, unauthorised disposal of vehicles and the usage of firm automobiles for private actions.
Meanwhile, a veteran driver with 27 years of service, Shehu Na’allah, counseled administration for organising the retreat and referred to as for the revival of the Truck Owner Scheme, which enabled skilled drivers to work in the direction of proudly owning the vehicles they operated.
Another driver, Yusuf Adamu, who has served the corporate for practically 16 years, appreciated administration’s help however appealed for improved spare-parts availability on the plant workshop to deal with the restore wants of its numerous truck fleet, significantly given the situation of many roads.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
