Safety: Dangote Cement Gboko hosts strategic retreat for drivers

Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko, Benue state, has intensified efforts to reinforce street security, strengthen drivers’ competence, and promote their welfare via common coaching, performance-based incentives, improved monitoring, and expanded healthcare assist for truck drivers.

The initiatives have been highlighted on the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat held on the firm’s plant in Gboko, on Thursday, the place the administration reaffirmed its dedication to defending lives and constructing a stronger security tradition throughout its transport operations.

Speaking on the occasion themed “Think Safety, Act Safely,” the Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, famous that drivers have been the general public face of the corporate and counseled them for delivering merchandise throughout the nation underneath difficult street and climate circumstances.

He mentioned security should take precedence over supply targets, urging drivers to conduct correct automobile checks, observe pace limits, put on seat belts, keep away from telephone distractions and take accredited 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, automobile circumstances, relaxation amenities and welfare, promising to evaluation their options and take acceptable motion.

In his remarks, the Company’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, mentioned the retreat additionally supplied a possibility to recognise excellent drivers whose conduct and dedication to security may function examples to others.

The Head of Health, Safety and Environment in Transport for Africa and Nigeria, Mrs. Ebere Okonkwo, mentioned it was strengthening supervision via the set up of in-truck cameras to assist monitor drivers’ conduct and determine security violations.

She mentioned the monitoring system, alongside common coaching and enforcement, was meant to cut back harmful driving and maintain enhancements in transport security.

The Plant Director, Abhijit Dutta, in his remarks, urged members to make efficient use of the retreat to enhance their driving abilities {and professional} conduct.

Meanwhile, a driver with 27 years of service, Shehu Na’allah, has counseled the 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 assist however appealed for improved spare-parts availability on the plant workshop to handle the restore wants of its numerous truck fleet, notably given the situation of many roads.