By Udeme Akpan
Dangote Transport has stepped up its road safety efforts with the deployment of a real-time Driver Monitoring Control Room to monitor truck drivers and respond promptly to unsafe behaviour while they are on the road across Nigeria.
The facility, located at the Dangote Transport operational base in Ibese, Ogun State, was recently showcased to journalists during a guided tour of the company’s transport operations centre.
Officials said the initiative demonstrates Dangote Transport’s growing reliance on technology and operational best practices to improve driver behaviour, reduce accident risks and strengthen fleet safety.
Speaking during the tour, Head of Operations, Dangote Transport, Ibese, Mr. David Idiege, described the control room as one of the latest additions to the company’s safety architecture.
According to him, the facility enables transport control personnel to monitor drivers in real time, assess compliance with safety standards and intervene promptly when risky behaviour is detected.
“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to strengthen safety across our transport operations. The Driver Monitoring Control Room represents another significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that all journeys are conducted safely and responsibly,” Idiege said.
He said the initiative formed part of a broader strategy to reduce accidents, improve operational efficiency and protect drivers and other road users.
“Safety remains our highest priority. We recognise the responsibility that comes with operating a large fleet of vehicles across the country. That is why we continue to invest heavily in technology, systems and training that help us maintain the highest safety standards,” he added.
Idiege said the company had introduced several measures over the years to improve driver performance and minimise road risks. These include speed limiters, vehicle immobilisers, speed booster control systems, facial recognition devices, journey management protocols, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, compulsory rest periods, periodic recertification and regular training and retraining.
“Our approach is holistic. Technology alone is not enough. We combine technology with strict operational procedures, driver welfare programmes, competency assessments, recertification exercises and continuous capacity building to ensure that our drivers remain professional and safety-conscious at all times,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of mandatory rest periods in tackling driver fatigue, which he described as a major contributor to road accidents.
“We do not encourage driver fatigue. Every driver is required to comply with our journey management procedures and mandatory rest schedules. We understand that alert and healthy drivers make safer decisions on the road,” Idiege said.
Also speaking, the Head of Transport Control, Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeala, who conducted journalists around the facility, said the on-board camera system installed across thousands of Dangote trucks was deployed with the support of technology partner, Nova Tracks.
He explained that the system provides real-time visibility into driver conduct and gives transport managers information required to identify and address potential safety risks.
“The technology allows us to monitor driver activities while journeys are in progress. The cameras provide live feeds and alerts, helping us detect behaviours that could compromise safety and enabling us to take immediate corrective action,” Ezeala said.
He stressed that the system was designed to support drivers rather than police them, with emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
“Our objective is preventive rather than punitive. We want to identify potential risks before they develop into incidents. By having visibility into operations in real time, we can contact drivers where necessary, provide guidance and support safer driving decisions,” he said.
According to Ezeala, the system has also strengthened fleet management by providing operational data to support decision-making and improve overall safety performance.
“The transportation industry is evolving rapidly, and technology now plays a critical role in fleet safety management. By integrating advanced monitoring systems into our operations, we are creating a safer environment for our drivers and for all road users,” he said.
He commended Nova Tracks for supporting the deployment of the technology and Dangote Transport’s broader road safety objectives.
The visiting journalists also commended the initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of how technology can be deployed to improve road safety and accountability in large-scale transport operations.
The Driver Monitoring Control Room is part of Dangote Transport’s wider investment in safety, aimed at reducing accident risks, improving driver performance and strengthening operational efficiency across its nationwide logistics network.
With thousands of trucks transporting raw materials and finished products across the country, the company said it would continue to deploy technology and other safety measures to promote safer journeys and contribute to improved road safety in Nigeria.
The post Dangote Transport deploys real-time driver monitoring to boost road safety appeared first on Vanguard News.