Dangote Cement Installs Cameras on CNG Trucks
…Tightens Driver Screening to Curb Road Accidents
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc has intensified its road safety initiatives by commencing the installation of cameras across its fleet of thousands of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
The move is aimed at promoting safe driving and achieving the company’s target of zero road crashes.
The initiative coincides with the ongoing recertification and screening of truck drivers at the company’s Obajana plant in Kogi State. The exercise is being carried out under the strict supervision of the Dangote Articulated Trucks Drivers Training School (DATDTS) in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Head of Transport at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, while speaking with newsmen at Obajana, said that the company has enforced stricter entry requirements for new drivers in line with its zero-tolerance policy for road accidents.
“Applicants must be at least 23 years of age and possess a minimum of five years’ relevant driving experience in addition to holding a valid Class G driver’s license.
They must also undergo medical evaluations, drug testing, and background checks to confirm they have a clean criminal record with no pending legal cases,” Silva explained.
According to him, FRSC regularly conducts certification and recertification training for drivers at the DATDTS complex. He noted that Dangote Cement also operates a full-fledged Department of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), which conducts drug and alcohol tests, blood pressure checks, and other health assessments to ensure drivers are fit before embarking on trips.
Silva added that the company’s safety measures have been yielding results, with drivers’ participation in monthly training rising by 60% this year, while drug and alcohol testing has increased by 40%. He also disclosed that pre-trip inspections have grown significantly, recording a 74% increase.
The Divisional Head of Transport at DCP Obajana, Mr. Hemant Rana, said the company has invested in a multi-million-naira Pre-Trip Inspection Bay, manned by engineers and mechanics to carry out thorough checks on trucks before they hit the road.
“We have built a Drivers Rest House to allow drivers to recuperate after completing trips before embarking on new ones. Beyond that, we developed a monitoring system that supports drivers while on trips. Our Drivers Help Desk Units and Control Department track drivers’ situations and behaviour to ensure safety throughout their journeys,” Rana stated.
On his part, the Manager of DATDTS, Mr. Daniel Marcus Akuso, described the training school as the first of its kind in Nigeria. He noted that its programmes, designed in partnership with the FRSC, cover a wide range of courses including Civic Education, English, Mathematics, Defensive Driving, Truck Handling, Maintenance Technology, Root Cause Analysis, Health and Science, and Road Signs and Codes.
Also speaking on the company’s safety strategy, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, revealed that more than 1,500 Dangote Cement truck drivers have already undergone comprehensive screening to assess their mental, psychological, and physical fitness.
“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to go through an extensive and rigorously structured recruitment process. This includes holding a valid Class G driver’s license, background verification of the driver and guarantors, vision and eye tests, blood pressure checks, BMI (Body Mass Index), random blood sugar testing, as well as mandatory drug and alcohol testing,” Pathak explained.
According to him, the intensified screening and monitoring measures became necessary given the challenging driving conditions on Nigerian roads.
Dangote Cement’s renewed investment in technology, infrastructure, and driver training reflects the company’s determination to reduce road accidents involving heavy-duty trucks and ensure the safety of its drivers, goods, and other road users.
