Lafarge Africa Plc has inaugurated a logistics academy to train drivers, transport company owners, employees and other stakeholder groups involved in the logistics process of its business.

The Group Managing Director, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Michel Puchercos, said the academy was conceptualised to move the operations of the company and its key stakeholders to a proficient level, towards impacting the business positively.

He said that it would focus on people development, process efficiency and performance improvement, adding that with four locations across the three regions of the country where Lafarge Africa Plc operates, the academy would impact the entire country.

Puchercos stated that to realise the company’s ambition to be the reference point in road transport safety in the country, a drivers’ academy was opened in May 2014 for the engagement of certified drivers, who would have passed through a systematic qualification process.

He said, “The successes recorded as well as the urge to continue to improve its safety records culminated in the launch of the more inclusive and far reaching Lafarge Africa Logistics Academy.

“The academy is in line with the company’s vision to build a stronger Nigeria safely, ethically and sustainably through innovative construction solutions. One of the ways to achieve this is through the safe delivery of our products across the country. We commit to operational excellence, enhanced quality of logistics services, strong road transport safety management, and attainment of our overall safety objective of ‘Clean, Green, Zero Harm’.”

The Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Hans Mielants, said majority of accidents and fatalities on the roads were avoidable.

“Key logistics stakeholders must continue to develop the requisite skills and constantly enhance their levels of professionalism. Being a leading cement and building solutions provider, Lafarge Africa Plc through this initiative, has decided to proactively close this gap and raise the required level of proficiency for sustained improvement,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun explained that the establishment Academy of the academy was a right step in checking reckless driving among truck drivers.

He pointed out that reckless attitude of truck drivers has caused loss of lives on Nigerian roads.

Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Adenrele Adeshina, assured that government would use the template and standard set by the cement company to design logistics programme for investors and business owners that engage in haulage of goods and materials in the state.

“Logistics is the critical element to successful operations in a State like Ogun.”

The Sector Commander, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Adegoke Adetunji, pledged the Federal Government’s support to the scheme, adding that it would help reduce loss of lives on the roads to the barest minimum.

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