By Abubakar Muhammad Adamu
Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko, Benue State, has intensified efforts to enhance road safety, strengthen drivers’ competence and promote their welfare through regular training, performance-based incentives, improved monitoring and expanded healthcare support for truck drivers.
The initiatives were highlighted at the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat held at the company’s plant in Gboko, Benue State, on Thursday, where management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and building a stronger safety culture across its transport operations.
The retreat follows similar initiatives previously organised for drivers at the company’s Ibese and Obajana plants.
Speaking at the retreat, with the theme: “Think Safety, Act Safely,” Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, described drivers as the public face of the company and commended them for delivering products across the country under challenging road and weather conditions.
He said safety must take priority over delivery targets, urging drivers to conduct proper vehicle checks, observe speed limits, wear seat belts, avoid phone distractions and take approved rest periods.
Pathak also encouraged drivers to report unsafe practices and intervene when colleagues appeared fatigued or unfit to drive, describing such actions as essential to preventing accidents and saving lives.
He assured the drivers that management would consider their concerns about routes, loading points, vehicle conditions, rest facilities and welfare, promising to review their suggestions and take appropriate action.
Dangote Cement Nigeria’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, said the retreat also provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding drivers whose conduct and commitment to safety could serve as examples to others.
He disclosed that award recipients would receive personalised awards, special shirts, mobile phones and other gifts to encourage responsible driving and promote compliance with road safety standards.
Silva, however, stressed that the company would continue to enforce its driving regulations, warning that offences such as proxy driving, illegal haulage, over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could attract disciplinary action, including dismissal.
The company’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment in Transport for Africa and Nigeria, Mrs Ebere Okonkwo, said it was strengthening supervision through the installation of in-truck cameras to help monitor drivers’ conduct and identify safety violations.
She observed that monitoring system, alongside regular training and enforcement, was intended to reduce dangerous driving and sustain improvements in transport safety.
Okonkwo added that the retreat offered management a direct opportunity to hear from drivers, identify operational difficulties and follow up on solutions.
On welfare, she disclosed that the company’s health maintenance plan covered drivers, their spouses and up to four children. Drivers also undergo basic medical checks, including blood pressure and eyesight examinations, before trips, with those requiring further attention referred to doctors.
Okonkwo acknowledged that although challenges remained, she stated that sustained training, monitoring and enforcement had contributed to improvements in safety standards.
Plant Director, Abhijit Dutta, urged participants to make effective use of the retreat to improve their driving skills and professional conduct.
Similarly, Assistant Superintendent of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Enlightenment Officer, Gboko Area Command, Abu Ene Ann, advised drivers to avoid drug and substance abuse, warning that it could impair judgment, damage vital organs and increase the risk of fatal road accidents.
The Human Resources Transport officer at the Gboko Plant, Ahmed Rufai, outlined disciplinary measures for offences including reckless driving, unauthorised disposal of trucks and the use of company vehicles for personal activities.
Meanwhile, a veteran driver with 27 years of service, Shehu Na’allah, commended management for organising the retreat and called for the revival of the Truck Owner Scheme, which enabled experienced drivers to work towards owning the trucks they operated.
Another driver, Yusuf Adamu, who has served the company for nearly 16 years, appreciated management’s support but appealed for improved spare-parts availability at the plant workshop to address the repair needs of its diverse truck fleet, particularly given the condition of many roads.