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Dangote Cement Plc has urged its truck drivers to prioritise safety over speed, warning that no delivery is worth risking a human life.
The company’s Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, gave the charge at the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat for drivers at its Ibese plant in Ogun State, where he stressed the importance of safe driving, driver welfare and responsible conduct on Nigerian roads.
The retreat, themed “Think Safety, Act Safely,” brought together drivers, transport personnel and management representatives to discuss safety practices, welfare concerns and ways to strengthen safety across the company’s transport operations.
Pathak reminded the drivers that they represented the company on highways across the country and had a responsibility to protect themselves and other road users.
“Every time you get behind the wheel, you are carrying more than a product. You are carrying the reputation of this Company, the trust of other road users and, most importantly, your own life. We can replace a truck; we cannot replace a human being,” he said.
He said Dangote Cement would continue to invest in driver training, welfare and safer transport operations, adding that drivers were essential to the company’s growth and distribution network.
“We appreciate the sacrifices you make every day to keep our business moving. That is why we are committed not only to providing you with the tools and training to work safely, but also to listening to your concerns and improving your welfare. When our drivers are safe, our operations are stronger and our communities are safer,” Pathak said.
He urged the drivers to avoid speeding, fatigue and other dangerous practices, stressing that completing a journey quickly should never take precedence over arriving safely.
“If you are tired, stop and rest. If a situation looks unsafe, do not take chances. The goal is not just to reach your destination; the goal is to return home safely to your family,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Aboro of Ibeseland, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, also advised drivers to rest whenever they felt tired, noting that their families depended on their safe return from every journey. The company’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, warned against reckless driving, proxy driving and other unsafe practices, saying such conduct would not be tolerated.
He urged drivers to take personal responsibility for their safety and help make Nigerian roads safer for all users.
The retreat also provided an opportunity for drivers to raise concerns about their welfare, including the rising cost of living, work-related expenses and delays in communicating drug test results.
Some participants welcomed the company’s continued attention to their welfare, saying the retreat showed that management valued their lives beyond their operational responsibilities. They pledged to maintain high safety standards and handle the trucks entrusted to them responsibly.
As part of the event, Dangote Cement honoured eight outstanding drivers, four fleet officers and one recipient identified as STM for their performance and commitment to safety.
The retreat ended with a renewed commitment by management and drivers to improve welfare, strengthen safety practices and promote safer and more efficient transport operations across the company’s distribution network.
