By Suleiman Abdulmumin
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has taken another impactful step in its continuous drive to reduce road traffic crashes involving articulated vehicles, particularly those linked to Dangote Group. In response to recent public outcry over recurring road crashes involving Dangote trucks, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, convened a strategic meeting with the Management of Dangote Cement Transport led by Mr. Murillo Silva.
The meeting, which held at the National Headquarters of the Corps in Abuja, centered on practical solutions to address safety challenges associated with fleet operations and to foster responsible transportation practices within the Dangote transport system.
Key issues discussed during the meeting include: Develop structured training and retraining programmes for Dangote Cement Transport drivers, aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), to improve competence and professionalism as well as enforce strict compliance to vehicle maintenance schedules and ensure the installation of critical safety devices in Dangote trucks to minimise mechanical failures that often contribute to crashes.
Other issues discussed is the urgent need to design joint programmes that will not only curb crashes involving Dangote trucks but also set a benchmark for other fleet operators across the country.
Speaking during the engagement, the Corps Marshal emphasised that the meeting was a crucial response to public concerns and a demonstration of FRSC’s commitment to safeguard lives on Nigerian roads. He stressed that partnerships of this nature are vital in addressing systemic safety challenges, noting that corporate organisations must play active roles in supporting government’s efforts to build a safer transport environment.
He said, “This engagement is more than a response to recent incidents, it is a proactive step to ensure that lives are saved, confidence is restored, and the Nigerian motoring public is assured of safer highways. The FRSC and Dangote Cement Transport share a common responsibility, and together we must drive down crash statistics by investing in training, compliance, and innovation.”
It would be recalled that beyond this partnership, FRSC has in recent months scaled up nationwide interventions aimed at strengthening driver competence and vehicle safety.
Across various States of the Federation, the Corps has organised intensive driver training and recertification exercises, with a focus on articulated vehicle operators who constitute a high risk category on the roads. These programmes, backed by globally recognised certification standards, have equipped drivers with updated knowledge on road safety, defensive driving techniques, and regulatory compliance.
The Corps has also maintained strict enforcement of traffic regulations, stepped up routine checks, and intensified public enlightenment campaigns to ensure that both commercial and private motorists embrace safe road use. Through these sustained measures, FRSC is not only addressing the immediate concerns around Dangote trucks but also working to instill a lasting culture of safety across the entire Nigerian motoring landscape.
The Corps Marshal therefore called on other corporate organisations and transporters to emulate Dangote Cement Transport by opening up their operations for safety reviews, collaborative training, and stricter adherence to national road safety standards. He reiterated that saving lives on Nigerian roads remains the overriding priority of the Corps, and with the active involvement of stakeholders, the goal of drastically reducing crashes and fatalities is attainable.