Accidents: Dangote Sensitises Drivers on Safe Highway Practices

…New Control Towers to Monitor Speed, Behaviour
…Warns Against Drug use, Proxy Driving

By Jeremy Fregene

Worried about recent incidents involving some of its drivers, Dangote Cement Plc on Thursday gathered its fleet operators at the company’s Obajana plant in Kogi State for a special retreat aimed at promoting responsible conduct on highways and reducing accidents involving its trucks.

Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. Arvid Pathak, said the programme, themed “Drive Safely, Arrive Safely,” was part of the company’s commitment to road safety and best practices in fleet management. “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,” he said.

Pathak explained that the interactive sessions covered discipline behind the wheel, defensive driving, fatigue management, and vehicle maintenance, with awards given to outstanding drivers. He warned against drug use and the practice of engaging proxy drivers, stressing that Dangote maintains a zero-tolerance policy on accidents. “Your life is very precious, so take care of yourselves. You have families, and your families need you,” he said.

The company’s Head of Transport, Mr. Murilo Silva, announced that new technology-driven Control Towers under construction at Obajana would enable real-time monitoring of drivers’ behaviour to further enhance 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 advised.

Dr. James Adenuga, Group Head of Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability at Dangote Industries, stressed that the safety of drivers and other road users remained paramount. Transport expert, Mr. Samuel Odo, also said many crashes were within drivers’ control. “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 on the sidelines of the event, Divisional Director of Transport, Mr. Hemant Rana, described the retreat as timely and the right measure to curb road accidents. Traditional rulers, including the Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, and the Olu of Apata, HRH Federick Balogun, praised Aliko Dangote for creating employment opportunities for drivers, while urging them to respect traffic rules to stay alive.

The retreat also provided a platform for management to receive direct feedback from drivers to help improve fleet management practices.