In a proactive push to curb the surge of road crashes that typically accompany the year-end festive season, Dangote Cement’s Ibese Plant, at the weekend, held a road safety sensitisation programme for commercial drivers and motorcyclists in Ogun State.
The campaign focused on the fatal dangers of excessive speeding and the life-saving importance of understanding a heavy-duty truck’s blind spots.
Held at the bustling Ilaro Motor Park, the event drew hundreds of commercial drivers and motorcyclists from Ilaro and its neighbouring communities.
The initiative aligns with the cement giant's broader mission to promote safer roads and foster harmony between its truck drivers and other road users.
A key component of the campaign was a practical demonstration of the often-unseen danger zones around articulated vehicles.
Facilitators used live motorcycles and a stationary truck to demonstrate the four major blind spots: front, passenger side, driver’s side, and rear.
Riders were reportedly stunned to discover how completely they could disappear from a truck driver's view, even when the driver was being attentive.
Peter Abuad, the Head of Transport and Safety at the Ibese Plant, led the practical session, highlighting the four critical danger zones and warning riders to steer clear during lane changes and turns.
“If you are in any of these blind spots, the truck driver does not know you’re there. Avoid them at all times,” he cautioned.
“Dangote Cement Ibese is committed to ensuring safety and improving lives,” Abuad added.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Corps Commander Sulaiman Kolawole Oluwadumiye, the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ilaro, delivered a poignant warning against speeding, which he identified as a leading cause of fatal crashes.
“Speed is sweet, the engine sounds powerful, the road looks open, and you feel in control. But the same speed that feels good for one minute can destroy a family in another second,” Oluwadumiye cautioned the participants.
He stressed that speed drastically reduces a rider’s ability to spot danger and brake effectively, noting that articulated trucks pose even greater risks when control is lost.
“The road has no respect for confidence or experience. There is no medal for the fastest driver and rider, only sorrow for the careless one,” he added, explaining that most crashes involving motorcycles and trucks occur because riders unknowingly enter the truck’s hidden danger zones.
Dangote Cement reinforced its commitment to safety by distributing essential safety kits to the excited commercial motorcyclists.
Items freely gifted included high-quality helmets, reflective jackets, and safety goggles, emphasising the company's belief that safety is a shared responsibility.
Ebere Okonkwo, the Head of Health, Safety, and Environment for Dangote Cement Transport (Nigeria & Pan Africa), reiterated the importance of the initiative.
“This programme teaches road users, especially the drivers and riders, how to identify blind spots and equips them with safety kits. It’s part of our continuous effort to save lives,” Okonkwo stated.
She urged riders to prioritise safe riding habits and strictly obey traffic regulations, especially as vehicular movement peaks in the remaining days leading into the New Year.
“Overspeeding, impatience, and miscalculations remain leading causes of preventable road accidents,” she added.
Officials from allied agencies lauded Dangote Cement for its continuous public safety investments.
Mr Solomon Salako of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and Mr Obafemi Matemilola of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) stated that the campaign complements perfectly the roles being played by the FRSC, TRACE, and VIO in improving road sanity for all stakeholders.
The programme resonated deeply with the beneficiaries. David Odumoye, one of the appreciative drivers, thanked the management of Dangote Cement for bringing enlightenment to the park and for the donated safety items.
“Nobody is an expert on the road, no matter how long you’ve been riding. This training is very important. We thank Dangote for the initiative and the protective kits,” Odumoye said.
Another rider, Rafiu Olusegun, echoed the sentiment, noting the company’s history of caring for their welfare and safety.
“We will put everything we learned into practice. Nobody starts a journey planning to lose their life,” Olusegun promised.
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