Jude Nneji, group managing director, ABC Transport Plc, has commended 61 drivers for accident-free operations, stating that haulage and logistics drivers are central to sustaining trade and the country’s expanding e-commerce sector.
Speaking at the company’s Awards Ceremony for Non-Accident Operations held in Lagos recently, Nneji recognised drivers from its passenger, cargo, and haulage divisions for maintaining accident-free records.
According to him, beyond conveying passengers, professional drivers ensure the steady distribution of goods across cities and borders, supporting businesses and household livelihoods.
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“Without moving goods from one part of the country to another, commerce will not thrive. The aspirations of families and the economy rest on your shoulders.
“When you drive a 55-seater luxury coach, you carry over 50 lives in your hands. You can decide their fate. That responsibility alone makes you extraordinary,” he said, underscoring the level of responsibility drivers carry.
The event also marked the company’s 33rd anniversary, having commenced operations on February 13, 1993. It honoured drivers with a record of up to 10 years of accident-free service or even near-misses, while others achieved five years without incidents, despite the challenges of Nigerian roads, including potholes, reckless motorists, and security risks.
The event brought together dignitaries of regulatory and security agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services, and the Lagos State Safety Commission.
These officials highlighted training, adherence to speed limits, and regulatory compliance as factors contributing to the company’s accident-free records.
Nneji highlighted several measures put in place by ABC Transport, including strict safety policies, a drug and alcohol policy, speed limiters installed in all buses and trucks, and a real-time vehicle tracking system.
He disclosed that the company’s vehicles are deliberately restricted from exceeding 100 kilometres per hour to enhance control during emergencies, noting that alcohol breathalysers are used to test drivers, while continuous monitoring ensures compliance with safety standards.
According to him, the company also invests heavily in driver training through its Driver Training Academy (DTA) in Owerri, which recently graduated 137 new trainees to boost the pool of professionally trained drivers in the country.
“If you go to work in the morning, your family expects you back. It is always better to say welcome than to say sorry.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. With good leadership, this nation will become one of the best in the world. I am confident it will happen in our lifetime,” Nneji said.
He called on the government at all levels to improve infrastructure to support safer and more efficient transport operations, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future.
