CHAT WITH VARIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
EMMANUEL Camillus Nlewemchukwu (Mr.) is a Senior Driver 1 and happily married with three children. He has been with ABC Transport since 1998, when he voluntarily retired from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He won his first accident-free award in 1999 and has consistently won it ever since. He hinted that his wealth of experience garnered as a pool driver in FUTO has impacted positively in ABC Transport because he had opportunities to travel to the North, West and South, thereby knowing various routes and states. At the latest ceremony held to reward drivers and attendants who had no record of accident for the operational year 2006, Mr. Camillus bared his mind on some issues.
How would you describe your relationship with other drivers?
Very cordial. We are like a big family. I also want to thank our able attendants for the assistance they give us on the roads. You know, attendants are our “second wives” – we spend more time with them than we do with our wives. I know the value of a good attendant and would never play or disregard any. Let them keep up the good work.
Question :Is there any advice you would want to give?
Answer: Yes, I want Management to re-introduce escorts for night operations, which has stopped for a very long time. When our passengers know that there are security operatives in our buses, they will feel more secure and safer. This would even discourage those armed robbers and thieves that travel in our buses. Let me appeal to Management that they should not only encourage drivers and attendants but should also encourage night drivers especially because of their efforts, coupled with the bad roads & armed robbers on our highways. Management should always try to pay more attention to them and see how to help them do better – so these drivers will have no reason to complain based on the hazards since night drivers take more risk. For Road Safety (FRSC), I want them to put up signs on the minor, major and express roads and on the potholes and bends to show drivers who are new on those roads, those drivers who are not familiar, so they can drive more carefully and avoid such bad roads. My advice to the Nigeria Police is to try to position some officers on the bad spots on our roads, which serve as hideouts for armed robbers at nights. Most times, we drivers when we get to those bad spots we can’t move freely, manoeuvre our buses, and this makes us slow down. When this happens, hiding armed robbers can easily attack us. So, if they know that policemen are stationed at this bad spot, the armed robbers would not want to stay there. The federal government can use the combined team of police and army. I advise the government to also do something about the bad roads. It is getting worse. You know, even when you travel by air, you will still use the road and meet the potholes. So, Government should look into this situation.
Question: Any other advice?
Answer: I want to encourage the new drivers to have patience. They should look at the old drivers. The fact that most drivers have lasted in ABC Transport for ten or above shows that the company is growing fast and more opportunities for growth are opening up. Some old drivers who have taken their jobs more seriously are doing well; this shows that the new drivers can even do better. Now there are so many improvements in the company. New drivers should calm down and work on performing better. Learn the work and be patient on the job – with time they will male it. After all, Rome was not built in a day.
Question: You seem to be proud of your experience in ABC Transport?
Answer:Yes, it is a thing to thank God for. I’ve gained a lot in the company. I have also learnt so many things. I now know the full meaning of respect, what it means, and how to apply it because of the high class of passengers I convey in my bus. I know the value of being safety-conscious; I have more knowledge in transport business and can now offer consultancy services. In fact, before I see myself as a mere driver but now I regard myself as a professional. Do you know that FUTO is even proud of me, because they see me as their product, a good product. I will not fail to thank the MD, Mr. Frank Nneji both for the way he started the company and the way he shows care for his staff. He showed me a lot of care, particularly when I was sick. This has made me to better my performance
Question: What do you want the Company to know you for?
Answer: My lasting good relationship with colleagues. People should know me as someone who imbibes safety procedures and standards. Someone who puts in his best always – not someone who folds his hands and complains.
Question: What would you tell those who didn’t win the safety award?
Answer: It is not a do or die affair. Ask God to grant you the grace & opportunity to win the award next time. Take safety procedure very seriously. May I also tell those of us who do Sleeper operations to always sleep well, rest well, prepare themselves well because night trips need drivers to be very sober and focused. Also, let me encourage officers who are supposed to be on night duty to try to always dispatch the buses on time. The hub, station head and mechanic should work as a team and coordinate well to make night operations depart on the right time.
ONYEACHUGBULAM Charles Nnamdi (Mr. ) is a Senior Driver and happily married with six Children. He has spent nine years in UTC Motors and has occupied himself in business and transportation before joining ABC Transport in 1999 as a driver. Apart from the first year he started work in the company, Mr. Onyeachugbulam has been receiving awards and accident-free bonuses. He was one of those drivers that received the Accident-Free Awards.
An excerpt of his interview:
Question: How would you describe your relationship with other drivers?
Answer: My relationship with other drivers, even attendants, has been very straightforward and cordial. I believe in unity and don’t hesitate to make corrections and advice, where my colleagues err. I believe in apologizing when I offend anybody, some people cannot say “I am sorry when they offend”.
Question: Is there any advice you would want to give to Management?
Answer: Management is trying very well. Transportation business is not easy to manage, but management should look critically at drivers’ salary. Drivers and attendants’ salaries are too poor. The reason is that by the time a driver spends about ten to fifteen years in the company and retires or resigns, how much will he take home to start his retirement life? Trip allowances are encouraging but there is still more to do about it. Secondly, Management should review the payment of mechanics. Mechanics are very important to us. They repair and keep the buses rolling. Mechanics should not be hungry if not they would not take time and pains to assess and rectify the problems of our buses. Thirdly, there should be inspection of spare parts purchased to avoid unnecessary breakdown of buses.
Question: Any other advice?
Answer: Drivers should be patient, have the endurance spirit and be up and doing in their duties.
Question: What do you want the Company to know you for?
Answer: Since I joined the company I have been patient. People should know me as one who is very careful and observes speed limit while driving. I don’t drink while driving and I have enough rest to enable me drive well.
Question: Are you proud of your experience in ABC Transport?
Answer: My experience has been very pleasant. One thing I love this company for, is that it doesn’t waste time to repair a bus that has mechanical problems. Even if the bus cannot be repaired due to some reasons, drivers would be assigned to another bus. I am proud to be in this company and you cannot compare our services to other transport companies.
Question: What would you tell those who didn’t win the safety award?
Answer: They should be patient, calm and drive carefully and one day, they would be recognised.
NWAGWU Ugochukwu Kingsley (Mr.) is a Coach Attendant from Ezuhu-Nguru, Aboh Mbaise and is single. He was among the awardees and has this to say:
Question: How would you describe your relationship with other drivers?
Answer: My relationship with other drivers and attendants has been cordial. I have no problem coping with my colleagues when it comes to work.
Question: Is there any advice you would like to give to Management?
Answer: Management should look at our welfare. Welfare of drivers and attendants should be improved.
Question: Any advice for colleagues?
Answer: I advised my colleagues to inculcate the habit of being dedicated and committed to work. I also urge them to imbibe decent dressing in discharge of their duty as attendants as this would go a long way to portray the image of the company in the face of customers.
Question: What do you want the company to know you for?
Answer: I will like to leave footprints of hard work, commitment, dedication and decency.
Question: How has your experience been like in ABC Transport?
Answer: The company has strengths for the future. I have learnt a lot from the company. I must say that I am proud to be in ABC Transport.
Question: What would you tell those who didn’t win the safety award?
Answer: They should be prayerful and be close to God so He can grant them the opportunity to be one of the recipients in the coming year.
AZUBUIKE Hyginus Ozodiugwu (Mr.) is a native of Osumoghu in Ihiala L.G.A of Anambra State. He is an Attendant
Question: How would you describe your relationship with other drivers?
Answer: My relationship with other driver is averagely okay.
Question: Is there any advice you would like to give to Management?
Answer: They should respect drivers and attendants. Drivers and attendants should be duly recognised in the company.
Question: Any advice for colleagues?
Answer: My colleagues should continue to do good and keep the company going.
Question: What do you want the company to know you for?
Answer: I want the company to know me as one of the honest, reliable and smart staff.
Question: How has your experience been like in ABC Transport?
Answer: My experience has been a mixed one, good and bad. It has not been steady, though.
Question: Are you proud of your experience in ABC Transport?
Answer: Yes, I am proud of my experience in ABC Transport. I met my second half in the company.
Question: What would you tell those who didn’t win the safety award?
Answer:They should be hard working and avoid accident to be part of the award recipient next year.
