By Saskia Warrick
The government has taken a decisive step towards enforcing weight limits on the country’s roadways by approving the procurement of scales specifically designed for weighing trucks.
In response to the persistent issue of overweight tonnage causing extensive damage to road infrastructure, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has revealed that measures are underway to address the problem.
Currently, the government is in the process of procuring scales to accurately measure the weight of trucks traversing the nation’s roads.
The decision to invest in these scales comes amid concerns over the financial burden placed on the government due to frequent infrastructural repairs caused by overweight vehicles.
Particularly affected is the East Bank corridor, which has suffered significantly from the passage of overweight single- and double-axel trucks.
Minister Edghill emphasized that with the imminent rehabilitation of the entire East Bank corridor, such practices cannot be allowed to persist, necessitating the implementation of stricter measures.
Additionally, Minister Edghill highlighted the detrimental impact of trucks parking on road shoulders, which leads to further deterioration of community roads.
To address these issues, a series of measures will be rolled out jointly by the Public Works Ministry and the Guyana Police Force.
Minister Edghill urged truck drivers to embrace a new culture of responsibility and compliance, emphasizing their role in contributing to Guyana’s overall development.
The move to procure truck scales marks a proactive step towards ensuring road safety, preserving infrastructure, and fostering responsible usage of the nation’s roadways.