No less than 1,500 Dangote Cement truck drivers have undergone intensive screening exercises to ascertain their mental, psychological and physical fitness for safe driving.
Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak disclosed this to Journalists after his presentation at the Annual Drivers Retreat held at Ilaro, Ogun State.
He explained that the screening has been made mandatory for drivers but it had to be intensive given the situation on the roads across the country.
The Dangote Cement boss said: “Every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to undergo an extensive and rigorously structured recruitment process that included: Valid Driver’s license Class – G background verification of both the driver and guarantors, comprehensive medical evaluation, including vision screening ( eye test ), blood pressure checks, BMI – body mass index, RBS – random blood sugar test as well as drug and alcoholic testing.
“In the past two months alone, over 1,500 prospective drivers have successfully completed this process. Only those who met all required standards were engaged and certified to operate any Dangote Group vehicles. Our commitment to safety extends beyond recruitment.
All drivers undergo mandatory pre – trip medical assessment, conducted licensed nurses and doctors, Pathak stated that the management of Dangote Cement Plc was irrevocably committed to training and re – training of its drivers for effective safe and smooth driving across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Pathak emphasised that as a leading Cement manufacturer with thousands of fleet; safety on the road remains the management’s priority. The Dangote Cement helmsman stated that the company as regular road users and its responsibility to other members of the society, and reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to road safety, transparency, appreciate ethical conduct, and provision of detailed clarity on comprehensive systems and procedures to mitigate against any incident along roads across the country.
According to him, “Dangote is responsible organisation that consistently cooperates with the Nigeria Police and other relevant authorities in the Investigation of reported incidents with support of all lawful process, aimed at establishing the facts and routinely implementing recommendations that strengthen public safety.
“Other screening covers usage within a three – month detection window, ensuring Identifying any history of substance use before employment; completion of two – week intensive training programme which consist of twelve safety among duties, practical driving assessment and written examination.
