Dangote Cement Puts Drivers’ Safety and Welfare First
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc has stepped up efforts to make Nigerian roads safer by training its truck drivers regularly, rewarding good drivers, watching their conduct more closely and widening the healthcare support it gives them.
The company announced the measures on Thursday at the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat, held at its plant in Gboko. The retreat, themed “Think Safety, Act Safely,” was meant to protect lives and build a stronger safety culture in the company’s transport operations. Similar retreats were earlier held for drivers at the Ibese and Obajana plants.
Group Managing Director, Mr Arvind Pathak, described the drivers as the public face of the company. He praised them for delivering products across the country despite difficult road and weather conditions.
Mr Pathak said safety must come before delivery targets. He urged drivers to check their vehicles properly before setting out, keep to speed limits, wear seat belts, stay off their phones while driving and take approved rest breaks. He also asked them to report unsafe practices and to step in when a colleague looks tired or unfit to drive, saying such actions could prevent accidents and save lives.
He assured the drivers that management would look into their concerns about routes, loading points, vehicle conditions, rest facilities and welfare, and act on their suggestions.
The Head of Transport at Dangote Cement Nigeria, Mr Murilo Silva, said the retreat was also a chance to honour outstanding drivers whose conduct and commitment to safety could inspire others. He said winners would receive personalised awards, special shirts, mobile phones and other gifts to encourage responsible driving and compliance with road safety rules.
Mr Silva, however, warned that the company would keep enforcing its driving regulations. He said offences such as proxy driving, illegal haulage, over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal.
The Head of Health, Safety and Environment in Transport for Africa and Nigeria, Mrs Ebere Okonkwo, said the company was installing cameras in its trucks to monitor drivers’ conduct and spot safety violations. She said the cameras, together with regular training and enforcement, were meant to reduce dangerous driving and sustain improvements in transport safety.
Mrs Okonkwo added that the retreat gave management a direct chance to hear from the drivers, learn about their operational difficulties and follow up with solutions. She admitted that challenges remained but said continued training, monitoring and enforcement had improved safety standards.
On welfare, she said the company’s health maintenance plan covers drivers, their spouses and up to four children. Drivers also undergo basic medical checks, including blood pressure and eyesight tests, before trips, and those who need further attention are referred to doctors.
The Plant Director, Mr Abhijit Dutta, urged participants to make good use of the retreat to improve their driving skills and professional conduct.
An Assistant Superintendent of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Enlightenment Officer at the Gboko Area Command, Mrs Abu Ene Ann, advised the drivers to stay away from drugs and other substances. She warned that drug abuse could impair judgment, damage vital organs and raise the risk of fatal road accidents.
The Human Resources Transport Officer at the Gboko Plant, Mr Ahmed Rufai, outlined the disciplinary measures for offences such as reckless driving, unauthorised disposal of trucks and the use of company vehicles for personal activities.
Two drivers also spoke at the retreat. Mr Shehu Na’allah, a driver with 27 years of service, thanked management for organising the retreat and called for the return of the Truck Owner Scheme, which allowed experienced drivers to work towards owning the trucks they drove.
Another driver, Mr Yusuf Adamu, who has served the company for nearly 16 years, also thanked management for its support. He appealed for better availability of spare parts at the plant workshop to meet the repair needs of the company’s varied truck fleet, especially given the poor state of many roads.
