Dangote Transport has unveiled a Driver Monitoring Control Room designed to track the activities of its truck drivers in real time and enable prompt intervention when unsafe driving behaviour is detected.
The facility, located at the company’s operational base in Ibese, Ogun State, is part of a broader safety strategy aimed at reducing road crashes, improving driver conduct and protecting other road users across the country.
The company showcased the facility to journalists during a guided tour of its transport operations centre.
Speaking during the tour, the Head of Operations, Dangote Transport, Ibese, David Idiege, said the monitoring centre was one of the latest additions to the company’s safety architecture.
Idiege said the system would enable transport control personnel to monitor drivers while they were on the road, assess compliance with safety standards and intervene when risky conduct was observed.
“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,” he said.
He said the initiative was part of measures to reduce crashes, improve operational efficiency and safeguard drivers as well as other road users.
According to him, the company had continued to invest in technology, driver training and operational systems because of the size of its fleet and the risks associated with long-distance haulage.
“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,” Idiege added.
Cameras track drivers in real time
The Head of Transport Control, Ifeanyi Ezeala, who conducted journalists around the facility, said an on-board camera system had been installed across thousands of Dangote trucks with the support of technology partner, Nova Tracks.
Ezeala said the system provided live visibility into driver conduct and generated alerts that could enable the control centre to identify potential safety threats before they resulted in crashes.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that the monitoring system was designed to prevent incidents rather than punish drivers.
“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,” Ezeala stated.
He said the technology had also strengthened fleet management by providing operational data that could support decision-making and improve overall safety.
Beyond technology, Idiege said Dangote Transport had introduced several measures aimed at improving driver performance and reducing road risks.
They include speed limiters, vehicle immobilisers, speed-control systems, facial recognition devices, journey management protocols, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, compulsory rest periods, periodic driver recertification and regular training and retraining.
He said the company’s safety strategy combined technology with strict operational procedures and driver welfare measures.
“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.
On driver fatigue, Idiege said the company had made compliance with mandatory rest periods part of its journey management policy.
“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,” he added.
Ezeala said the deployment of technology was increasingly becoming critical to the management of large-scale transport operations, particularly as thousands of trucks move raw materials and finished products across the country.
He commended Nova Tracks for supporting the deployment of the monitoring system, saying the initiative would contribute to safer transportation operations.
Journalists who toured the facility described the initiative as a practical demonstration of how technology could be deployed to improve road safety and strengthen accountability in the haulage sector.
Dangote Transport said it would continue to invest in technology, training and operational systems as part of efforts to reduce accident risks, improve driver performance and contribute to a safer road transport environment in Nigeria.
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