The National Road Fund (NRF), has donated two brand new vehicles to the Ministry of Transport.
The two vehicles are to enforce Axle Load Law.
The vehicles are intended to support field operations tied to the Axle Load enforcement initiative; an effort aimed at protecting the country road infrastructure from damage as often caused by overloaded trucks.
NRF Managing Director, Joseta Neufville Wento, said the fund are being committed to support the Ministry of Transport in its quest to effectively implement the law.
“We are supporting those that are implementing the project,” Wento said.
She said the weighbridge facility in Clay Ashland has already generated approximately US$70,000 in revenue since the project started.
Additionally, the initiative has created employment opportunities, with 15 residents from Bomi County benefiting, and six more positions soon to be filled under the NRF.
“We are not only focusing on road maintenance, but also road safety,” Wento added.
Deputy Transport Minister Rail and Safety, Rudolph Natt, who received the vehicles, described them as a “milestone achievement” for the Ministry.
Natt said the donation will significantly enhance the Ministry capacity to monitor road usage and enforce compliance with the Axle Load Law.
“These vehicles will ensure strict adherence to the law. We are committed to use them for their intended purpose, i.e., monitoring and ensuring road safety,” Natt assured.
He also appealed to truck drivers and transport operators to comply with the Axle Load regulations to help preserve road networks.
Project expert Prince Daye Dahn Duwor, said the Axle Load enforcement initiative will gradually expand.
The plan, Duwor said, will include the construction of 20 weighbridges by 2027, with 10 key locations prioritized.
“We will construct weighbridges along the Monrovia to Buchanan in Grand Bassa County; Monrovia to Bo-Waterside in Grand Cape Mount County, and the Monrovia/Ganta highway in Nimba County,” Duwor said.
A new weighbridge is expected to be completed in Careysburg, Montserrdo County by November in 2025, with additional sites planned in Cotton Tree in Lower Margibi County, Gbarnga, Bong County and Ganta.
Duwor also shared statistics on the prevalence of overloaded trucks, revealing that 72 percent of trucks from the Bo-Waterside corridor, 206 percent from Buchanan, and 310 percent from Ganta exceed legal weight limits.
He praised the NRF for its continued support, and noted that the initiative will not only protect roads, but also generate revenue for future maintenance, and road safety projects.