By Charles Tjatindi
WINDHOEK
Minibuses and light trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes will now be required to pass through weighbridges for overloading checks.
This was recently revealed by the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Joel Kaapanda in a statement delivered on his behalf by his Deputy, Stephen Mogotsi. The requirement, which already came into operation on November 05, is in line with the vision of the Roads Authority, which is to make the Namibian road sector among the safest, most effective and efficient in the world.
Kaapanda noted that overloaded commercial vehicles, including passenger vehicles, would not be allowed to proceed unless the load complies with the legal load limit.
“This regulation was in place – however, only trucks and buses were previously required to visit weighbridges,” said Kaapanda.
Enforcement of this requirement stems from a decision taken during the Xupifa Eemwenyo pilot project, which campaigns for road safety, and is headed by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund – MVA Fund.
Kaapanda called on all operators and drivers of trucks, buses and minibuses to be on the alert and to load their vehicles in accordance with the prescribed regulations.
“I also call upon them to secure their loads properly for the safety of all road users, and most of all ensure that they pass through weighbridges at all times and accord their fullest cooperation to all traffic law enforcement agencies,” noted Kaapanda.
To ensure full compliance of the provisions, the Road Transport Inspection Services, the Roads Authority have organised a specially-targeted law enforcement operation code named “Ngambeka” to deviate all vehicles above 3.5 tonnes to the weighbridges countrywide.
The operation will run until the official launch of the Xupifa Eemwenyo national road safety campaign later this month. The exercise will mainly take place at designated weighbridges around the country.