Dangote Articulated Truck Driving Academy has been inaugurated at Obajana, Kogi State.

The transport arm of the Dangote Cement PLC initiated the academy to check road accidents. Heavy trucks from the country are notorious for causing many road crashes around the country.

Speaking at the launch, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, on Wednesday, described Dagote’s vision at establishing the new academy for truck drivers, as a “significant step” which would benefit not only the Dangote Group but Nigeria as a whole.

“I wish to commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for taking “a big step” towards reducing accidents and road carnages on the nation’s highways.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for as a corps and today Dangote has made it.

“In fact, before this historic and unique step, I have observed that Dangote has done a lot to address truck crashes and I must commend them for this,” he said.

The FRSC boss extolled the conglomerate for leading other companies in this path.

According to him, the academy will play a key part in the country’s efforts to make the nation’s highways and roads safer.

In his remarks, the National Director, Logistics of the Dangote Cement (Transport Section), Juan Carlos Rincon, said that the “academy is an expression of the determination of the company to check accidents.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, said that the NBTE would partner with the Dangote Cement PLC for a successful accreditation and takeoff of the academy.

In his remarks, the Bajana of Obajana, Oba Idowu-Isenibi, said that he was optimistic that the academy would greatly help address auto crashes in the country.

He described Dangote as a “rescuer” to his community, which should be emulated by other investors in the country.

The Olu of Akpata, Oba Frederick Balogun urged other investors to emulate the company and bring smiles to the faces of travellers on roads.

Both Dangote Cement Transport and the FRSC signed an agreement on how to ensure that the academy is effective.

NAN