Dangote Cement Holds Safety Retreat for Drivers
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc has held a special retreat for its drivers at the company’s plant in Obajana, as part of its commitment to promoting road safety and strengthening best practices in fleet management.
The event, held on Thursday, was a practical platform to sensitize drivers on the importance of discipline behind the wheel.
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvid Pathak, stated that the retreat was also a way to communicate the company’s core values of safety and responsibility.
He told journalists that the interactive sessions covered topics such as defensive driving, fatigue management, and vehicle maintenance. He stressed the importance of drivers taking care of themselves, stating, “Your life is very precious, so take care of yourselves. You have families, and your families need you.”
Mr. Pathak also cautioned the drivers against using drugs and engaging proxy drivers, saying the company has a zero-tolerance policy on road accidents.
The Head of Transport (HoT) at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, announced that the company is constructing new, technology-driven control towers at the Obajana plant.
He explained that these facilities will enable real-time remote monitoring of drivers’ behavior to further enhance safety and efficiency. Mr. Silva gave a strong message on driving discipline, noting that “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.” He urged the drivers to be patient, respect smaller vehicles, and remember that they are the face of Dangote.
The Group Head of Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability at Dangote Industries Ltd (DIL), Dr. James Adenuga, said the safety of the drivers and other road users is paramount to the company. “Gentlemen, every time you drive out of this plant, you carry not just cement, but lives, reputations, and the pride of this company,” he said.
Transport expert, Mr. Samuel Odo, told the drivers that most auto crashes are within their control and that they should prioritize their safety and that of their families. He encouraged them to cultivate a safe driving culture 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.”
According to the Divisional Director of Transport (DDT), Hemant Rana, the event, themed ‘Drive Safely, Arrive Safely,’ was timely. He said the company has already put in place several measures to curb road accidents and has successfully scaled up the frequency of driver training sessions.
The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, said the drivers play a pivotal role in the life of the company and urged them to respect road signs.
The Olu of Apata, HRH Frederick Balogun, praised Aliko Dangote for creating employment opportunities, noting that he was among the first beneficiaries of the company’s job creation initiatives at the Obajana plant.
A key part of the event was the awards session, where deserving drivers were recognized and honored for their commitment to safe driving.
