Tanroads draws plans to end congestion at weighbridges

Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads)

Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) plans to install Weigh in Motion equipment to screen heavy trucks so as to reduce the congestions and save time at weighbridges, it has been learnt.

The plans are contained in a report released in Dar es Salaam by Tanroads titled: “Vehicle Overload Control on Trunk Roads in Tanzania.” 


The agency also plans to instal multi-deck weighbridges in order to speed up the operation to all new stations.

“This is done as a way of combating traffic congestion which is experienced at some of weighbridge stations due to increased traffic volume …. Currently our weigh bridges are operating on 24/7 shifts on busy stations,’’ the report added.

The report was compiled senior Tanroads engineers Joseph Lwiza, Lucian Kilewo, Boniface Malisa and Japhet Kivuyo, who noted that vehicle damage due to overloading has increased by 25 percent.

While the engineers say damage caused by overloading cost the nation 77bn/- this year, up from 62bn/- 2011/12.

Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli told parliament during the 2012/2013 financial year that just over 3bn/- was collected from penalties for damage to roads and approved payments for abnormal loads. 

The engineers cite corruption at weighbridges, saying: “The problem has persisted due to corrupt tendencies which are still happening due to collusion between unfaithful weighbridge staff and transporters,” the report said. 

The report revealed further that, the damages were in turn a result of increased number of heavy vehicles in the country’s roads from 33,808 units in 2005 to over 68,000 in 2012.

The report emphasized that increased overloading was influenced by instructions issued by the then Infrastructure Development minister Basil Mramba in June, 2006 allowing overloading of 5 percent to be carried over without offloading or being surcharged as stipulated in the regulations.

In October this year the government reinstated the five percent allowable weight on overloaded vehicles at weighbridges for one month in which time a special team was to be formed to review complaints raised by transporters on the permission and interpretation of the law in question.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda directed the ministries of Home Affairs, Works, Transport, Industries and Trade, Prime Minister’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office and transport stakeholders--Tanzania Truck Owners Association (Tatoa) and Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) to form a team that will probe the matter.

He advised the Ministry of Works through Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) to come up with a better system to weigh buses and trucks to reduce queuing at the weighbridge points. 

Tatoa has already announced plans to amend parts of its constitution to help members partner with the government in a bid to protect and preserve the roads.

“The code of conduct will be our guide in controlling truck drivers to ensure protection of our infrastructure… this would give the opportunity for the government to engage with the private sector in addressing pressing issues,” noted Elias Lukumai, Tatoa spokesperson during the annual gathering organised by thr association in Dar es Salaam.