With a fleet of 70 tanker trucks, IRU New Industry Shaper Balai Sakho, the Director General of Senegalese company “Transports Ibrahima Sakho”, is driven by an unwavering commitment to quality and a personal relationship with the sector.
What attracted you to hydrocarbon trucking?
It’s in my blood. My father was in the hydrocarbon transport business.
I grew up fully immersed in the business and did internships at my father’s company. This is where my passion for trucks and the intricate dance of logistics all started. It has guided me to where I am today.
What does Transports Ibrahima Sakho specialise in?
Transports Ibrahima Sakho specialises in hydrocarbon transport. We share the transport market for TotalEnergies Senegal’s hydrocarbon products with six other companies, out of which we have the second biggest fleet.
What’s your role?
I oversee operations, ensuring that our fleet of 70 tanker trucks consistently provides top-tier hydrocarbon transport services.
I have a wide range of responsibilities, from managing operations and driver training to implementing a comprehensive environmental, health and safety management system.
What is your best quality for this job?
My role has both an operational side − leading pilots, chairing meetings and setting priorities – and a more personal side of training and coaching drivers.
I think my best quality is my relentless quest for safety, which demonstrates my flexibility to combine both sides. People are the most important element for us. We strive to prevent accidents at all costs by supporting our drivers and implementing rigorous quality measures.
What do you value the most?
I greatly value human capital. We put a lot of emphasis on training and further developing our drivers’ skills. Our teams attend training centres, both in Senegal and abroad in countries such as France and Tunisia, that are specialised in hydrocarbon transport.
