The Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, has warned that the government will not tolerate interference in axle load enforcement, regardless of the status, position or political affiliation of the individual involved.
He, therefore, advised road users particularly truck owners, operators and influential persons to desist from such practices and instead support lawful enforcement efforts.
“If there are concerns about procedures or conduct, there are proper institutional channels through which such issues can be addressed”, he advised.
Mr Suhuyini said it had come to the notice of the government that ” in some instances, axle load enforcement officers were threatened, intimidated or pressured when overloaded trucks were arrested for road infractions and observed that these sometimes came from powerful individuals, including truck owners and persons holding political or social influence who interfere with lawful enforcement actions.
“Let me state clearly and unambiguously that such conducts are unacceptable and must stop”, he added.
Engagement
The deputy minister was speaking at Tarkwa in the Western Region last Friday during a stakeholders engagement on axle load control and road preservation of the Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa road corridor.
The road, completed less than three years ago, is gradually deteriorating as a result of heavy loads particularly from mining companies operating in the Tarkwa enclave.
The Deputy Roads Minister explained that the stakeholders’ engagement provided an opportunity to listen to one another, align expectations, and build a shared commitment to protecting the corridor.
Agona-Nkwanta-Tarkwa road
Mr Suhuyini said the current level of destruction on the Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa road was unfortunate and that technical assessment by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) showed that excess axle loading was a major contributor to the rapid deterioration.
He expressed concern that most roads had experienced premature failure largely due to excessive loading, especially from heavy-duty mining and haulage vehicles operating along the Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa corridor.
He said axle loads limits were not arbitrary as they were engineering-based safeguards designed to ensure that roads advanced due to their intended designs.
“Overloading leads to frequent repairs, traffic disruptions, increased vehicular operating costs, heightened accidental risks.
“This is why axle load enforcement must be understood as a road preservation and safety measures and not as a punitive exercise”, he added, advising drivers to comply with road regulations.
Rehabilitation
The Deputy Roads Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, commended the contractor who worked on that road on his decision to undertake rehabilitation works on the deteriorated stretch at no cost to the government.
Describing the initiative as a rare and commendable gesture of corporate responsibility, Mr Suhuyini noted that it reflected a strong commitment to national development and long-term partnership.
“It is not common practice for a contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of a failed road at their own cost, purely out of commitment to national interest and long-term partnership,” he said.
He informed the meeting that once the rehabilitation works began, the timelines and traffic management approach would be shared with the public.
He, however, said if the drivers continued to abuse the enforcement, no amount of rehabilitation would preserve the road.
“But let me be honest, if axle load violations continue, even a newly rehabilitated road will fail again,” he stressed.
Dualise the road
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, urged mining companies in the Tarkwa enclave not to overload their vehicles and must strictly abide by road regulations.
In an open forum, participants called for the dualisation of the road as it was critical to the development of the country.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
