Enforcing its zero tolerance for auto crashes, the Dangote Articulated Trucks Drivers Training School (DATDTS), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), is implementing stricter entry necessities for aspiring drivers.
This growth comes as Dangote Cement Plc undertakes the recertification and screening of all its truck drivers on the firm’s Obajana plant in Kogi State.
Speaking to newsmen on the Obajana Plant, Head of Transport, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, mentioned as a part of efforts to advertise secure driving and obtain zero highway crashes, the corporate has since begun putting in cameras throughout its fleet of 1000’s of CNG vehicles. He revealed that candidates have to be a minimum of 23 years of age and possess a minimal of 5 years’ related driving expertise, along with holding a legitimate Class G driver’s license.
He defined that anybody in search of employment as a truck driver should endure an intensive examination and screening course of, which incorporates medical evaluations and drug testing.
Mr. Silva mentioned an applicant should have a clear prison report, with no pending authorized circumstances.
He added: “The Dangote Cement Plc has a Policy on Drivers Employment processes that gives the criteria on DADTS processes of engaging new drivers especially mandatory 5 years of experience and compulsory a class G license.”
According to him: “FRSC conducts on common foundation Certification and recertification trainings for drivers on the DATDTS Complex.
“The company currently has a full fledge Department for Health, Safety and Environment Assessment. It also conducts drugs and alcohol test, blood pressure test, confirms drivers fit for trips and others before making trips.”
He mentioned the cement firm has instituted sure measures to curb auto crashes.
According to him, drivers’ participation within the firm’s month-to-month coaching programme has grown by 60% this 12 months, with drug and alcohol testing up by 40%, whereas pre-trip inspections have recorded a formidable 74% improve.
Earlier, the Divisional Head of Transport at DCP Obajana, Mr. Hemant Rana, disclosed that the corporate has established a multi-million-naira Pre-Trip Inspection Bay, staffed with engineers and mechanics, to make sure thorough inspection of vehicles earlier than they embark on journeys.
He mentioned: “We have built a Drivers Rest House for Drivers to rest after making trips and before embarking on new trips.”
Mr. Rana defined additional that: “We have developed a monitoring system of our drivers that helps them do their jobs safely. We have Drivers Help Desk Units that follow up with drivers’ situations while on trips. We also have a Control Department that follows up with drivers’ behaviour while on trips.”
The Manager of the Dangote Articulated Truck Drivers Training School, Mr. Daniel Marcus Akuso, mentioned that the establishment is the primary of its variety in Nigeria, including that programmes are being applied in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
He mentioned among the programs supplied within the college embody: Civic Education, English, Mathematics, Defensive Driving, Truck Handling, Maintenance Technology, DCT Administration Procedures, Root Cause Analysis, Health and Science, Road Signs and Codes, amongst others.
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak had instructed newsmen in Lagos that at least 1,500 Dangote Cement truck drivers have undergone intensive screening workouts to determine their psychological, psychological and bodily health for secure driving.
He defined that the screening train has been made necessary for the drivers, however it needed to be extra intensive given the state of affairs on the roads throughout the nation.
“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to undergo an extensive and rigorously structured recruitment process that includes: Valid Driver’s license class G, background verification of both the driver and their 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 alcohol testing,” he mentioned.
