Lafarge produces 53 certified female truck drivers

To ensure commitment to inclusive workplace for women, Lafarge Africa Plc has announced the graduation of its first set of female drivers from the Lafarge Driving Institute (LDI) in Calabar, Cross River.

While speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Country Chief Executive Officer of the company, Khaled El Dokani, stated that the graduation of the first set of female drivers from the Lafarge Driving Institute aligns with the company’s deliberate policy on gender diversity which underscores its overall commitment to sustainability and promotion of a healthy, safe and inclusive work environment.

“The Lafarge Driving Institute was set up to ensure safety on our roads as enrollees are taken through months of rigorous training and practical sessions on the road as well as simulator exercises that expose them to defensive driving techniques. Upon their graduation, they are absorbed as a key part of the logistics value chain to ensure the adequate and timely delivery of products to customers in a safe, efficient and timely manner,” El Dokani said.

The Chief Financial Officer Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said that Lafarge Africa is constantly investing in critical areas of the business to guarantee safety of all stakeholders at all times.

He remarked: ‘On the 24th of March 2021, the Lafarge Drivers’ Institute (LDI) in partnership with Automated Integrated Services Limited admitted 53 female trainees to embark on a female truckers training project. Today, 4 months after, we are here to celebrate a successful implementation which has brought about the female graduates from the training project, marking the fourth batch of skill acquisition from the LDI. We are indeed proud of this achievement.”

Speaking on the effect of Lafarge Africa’s operations on its host communities, the Cross-River Commissioner for Finance, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr., commended the company for highly impactful interventions that continue to cater for the needs of host communities.

He also commended Lafarge for establishing the Driving Institute in Cross River as it has contributed to the state government’s initiatives at empowering the people through skills acquisition.

Lafarge Driving Institute was launched on October 16, 2017 as part of a partnership between Lafarge Africa Plc, Automated Integrated Services Limited and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to address professionalism and ensure that heavy goods vehicles are manned by professionals who have passed through a comprehensive training programme tailored to the needs of Nigerian truck drivers.