By Thompson Yamput
Dangote Cement Plc on Thursday held a retreat, sensitising its drivers on safe driving on the highways.
Mr Arvid Pathak, Group Managing Director of the company, said that the retreat and sensitisation are part of its commitment to promoting road safety and strengthening best practices in fleet management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dangote Cement Plc convened the special retreat for its drivers at the company’s plant in Obajana, Kogi, with the theme: ‘Drive Safely, Arrive Safely.”
Pathak said the retreat provided a practical platform for sensitising the company’s drivers on the importance of discipline behind the wheel.
“This retreat emphasises our company’s core values on safety and responsibility, and featured drivers’ roles as frontline ambassadors of the Dangote Cement brand on Nigerian roads.
“The interactive sessions also featured discussions on defensive driving, fatigue management, vehicle maintenance, and awards for deserving drivers.
“It also allowed management to receive first-hand feedback that will guide solutions to issues affecting drivers.
“Your life is very precious, so take care of yourselves. You have families, and your families need you,” he said.
Pathak warned the drivers against the use of drugs and the practice of engaging proxy drivers, stressing that the company maintained zero-tolerance policy on road accidents.
In his remarks, the Head of Transport (HoT) Mr Murilo Silva, said the company is constructing new, technology-driven Control Towers at Obajana.
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Silva explained that when completed, the facilities would enable real-time remote monitoring of drivers’ behaviour to further enhanced safety and efficiency.
“Over speeding is one of the leading causes of road crashes involving heavy trucks. Always keep within the approved speed limit, especially on highways and in populated areas.
“You are the face of Dangote. Give way when necessary, be patient in traffic, and respect smaller vehicles, ” he said.
Dr James Adenuga, Group Head, Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability, Dangote Industries Ltd., said the drivers remained part of the image making of the company, and whose safety, and safety of other road users, remained paramount.
An expert on Transport, Mr Samuel Odo, said that most of the recent crashes were within the control of the drivers and cautioned them to prioritise their safety and that of their families.
“Culture is built by doing the right thing every time, every trip, every day. From wearing seatbelts, obeying speed limits, to checking tyres, repeat it until it becomes habit,” he said.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the retreat, the Divisional Director of Transport, Hemant Rana, described the event as timely and the right measure to curb road accidents.
The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, and the Olu of Apata, HRH Federick Balogun, praised Aliko Dangote for his role in creating employment opportunities for drivers,l.
They noted that the drivers played pivotal roles in the life of the company, and urged them to respect road safety rules and regulations to stay alive. NAN
