Lafarge Africa Launches A Logistics Academy
… Unveils Plans to Install Road Safety Culture in Stakeholders
Lafarge Africa Plc, has launched a Logistics Academy in demonstration of its unwavering commitment to safety. Set up to train and up-skill drivers, transport company owners, employees and other stakeholder groups involved in the logistics process of its business; the Academy was launched at the Ewekoro cement plant of the organization on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
The Academy was conceptualized for launch in Nigeria to move the operations of Lafarge Africa Plc and its key stakeholders to a proficient level, towards impacting the business positively and achieving the desired Operational Performance Improvement. It will focus on 3Ps – People development, Process efficiency & Performance improvement – which are driven by the pillars of drivers training and development, Contractors/Transporters development, and Logistics Staff training and development.
With four locations across the three regions of Nigeria where Lafarge Africa Plc operates, Lafarge Africa Logistics Academy has a national spread that will impact the entire country.
Relevant stakeholders, government representatives, agencies and organizations including the company’s transporters and truck drivers, road transport workers, and representatives of Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Vehicle Inspection Officers from Ogun and Lagos States were in attendance at the launch.
In his welcome address, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Michel Puchercos recalled that to realize the company’s ambition to be the reference point in Road Transport Safety in Nigeria, a Drivers Academy was launched in May 2014 for the engagement of certified drivers, who would have passed through a systematic qualification process. He remarked that 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.
He further explained that 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” he stressed.
In his presentation, the Logistics Director for Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Hans Mielants revealed that “majority of accidents and fatalities that occur on the roads are avoidable. Key logistic 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.”
Stakeholders at the event commended and pledged their support for Lafarge Africa Plc’s commitment to safety as its number one priority, and for continually seeking ways of entrenching the culture of safety among its employees, contractors, other stakeholders and the general public.