. Company trains block makers in Kano, Katsina
Leading Cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc, yesterday launched the Dangote Articulated Truck Driving School aimed at inculcating safe driving culture among its drivers to stem road crashes.
The opening of the school in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Company management reasoned, would also make the drivers become better road users.
The Academy, which was officially inaugurated by Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, was described as historic and unique.
The new Academy for truck drivers, Oyeyemi said, is a significant step forward that will benefit not only the Dangote Group but Nigeria as a whole.
The country’s top road safety official hailed Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, for taking “a big step” towards reducing truck accidents.
He said: “This is what we’ve been waiting for. You made it. I have observed that Dangote has done a lot to address truck crashes and I must commend them for this.”
He extolled the conglomerate for leading other companies on this path, saying the new school will play a key role in Nigeria’s efforts to make the roads safer.
He said he had suggested such a school long ago, adding that he is happy that the school has come to fruition.
In his remarks, the National Director, Logistics, Dangote Cement (Transport section) Juan Carlos Rincon, said the new school is an expression of the company’s determination to check auto crashes in the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, who was represented by S.M. Yusuf, said the Board will partner with Dangote Cement for a successful accreditation and take off of the new school.
In his remarks, the Bajana of Obajana, Oba Idowu Isenibi, expressed optimism that the school will help address auto crashes in Nigeria, even as he described Aliko Dangote as a “rescuer and God sent” to their communities and should be emulated by other investors.
Similarly, the Olu of Akpata, Oba Frederick Balogun, urged other investors to emulate the company.
Dangote Cement Transport and the FRSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate to ensure that the school is a success.
This is what we’ve been waiting for. You made it. I have observed that Dangote has done a lot to address truck crashes and I must commend them for this.
Training block makers
In another development, Dangote Cement organized block moulding training for block makers in Kano and Katstina states respectively.
This is to ensure that blocks moulded for building construction are strong, reliable, and durable.
The programme Coordinator, Johnson Olaniyi, said the workshop would give block moulders and allied product manufacturers the opportunity to build capacity and adhere to global best practices.
Olaniyi said Dangote Cement is desirous of reversing the trend of collapsed building through the capacity building of block manufacturers.
This comes as, government representatives, quality regulators, cement dealers, block makers, and end-users are unanimous in their assessment that Dangote produces the best quality of cement in Africa.
The stakeholders who attended the meeting also said the ongoing nationwide workshop and sensitization of block manufacturers will help check the menace of collapsed buildings.
Speaking at the workshop in Kano, representatives of the Kano State Government, Muhammad Garba Kwall, said Dangote Cement is not only the biggest company but also produces the best quality in Africa.
He described the company as socially responsible through giving back to the society through the sensitization workshop and creating various platforms for educating end-users to mitigate the rising incidence of building collapse.
Speaking, Regional Director, Kano Directorate, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Albert Wilberforce, urged block moulders to patronize Dangote Cement, adding that SON was partnering with the company to ensure that only quality cement are produced.
Also, the Kano State Coordinator (II), SON, Hauwa M. Husseini, urged the block moulders to comply with standard practice to prevent the menace of building collapse.
The Regional Sales Director, Northwest, Aliyu Dan Aliyu, urged participants to be ambassadors by telling their customers about the quality of the cement.
He said: “A customer who wants to build a house doesn’t know the quality or type of cement to use. It is the responsibility of the builder to advise him on the desired cement to use for quality building.”
