Economic hardship: Dangote drivers demand salary increment

Stories from Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Dangote Drivers Association under Dangote Cement Transportation in Obajana, Kogi State has appealed to the President of Dangote Group of Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to increase their monthly salary to three hundred thousand naira.
This demand comes as a result of the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the current economic situation in the country.
In an interview with newsmen, the Vice Chairman of the association, Muhammadu Tanko Umar, explained that the rise in food items, shelter, and other essential materials has made their current salary inadequate.
He emphasized that the proposed salary increment and benefits by the management of the company cannot cover their expenses.
The association also appealed for an allowance increase of eighty thousand naira each for dispatch and the waybill due to the current challenges in the country.
They also raised concerns about the Health Insurance Scheme SUNU (HMO), stating that seventy-five percent of their members are not benefiting from it due to SUNU(HMO), and they have to settle medical expenses for themselves and their families.
He said: “We want to appeal to the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, our Boss, to come to meet with us in person, not our representatives, to hear our complaints. We believe some of the issues we face are not known to him.”
He added that the members promised to manage the company’s property and adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the organization.
However, it remains to be seen whether the approved benefits will meet their demands and address their concerns.
Recently, the President of the Dangote Group of Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, approved a basic salary of sixty-seven thousand naira per month, with a consistent incentive of ten thousand Naira per trip to the members of the association.
The company also approved an average of five trips per month, with an average monthly consistency incentive of fifty thousand naira to their members.
The total income, excluding trip incentives, was set at one hundred and seventeen thousand naira with a financial implication of fifty thousand naira per driver monthly.