KeNHA, Thika Truck Transporters Meet To Enhance Axle Load Compliance And To Stabilise The Sector.
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| KeNHA Axle Load Control Manager Eng. Muita Ngatia (centre) addressing the press after launching KIAMA Sacco in Thika. He is flanked by Eng. Isaiah Onsongo (left) and KIAMA chairperson Mwalimu John Mbugua. |
Addressing sand transporters during the launch of KIAMA
Transporters Sacco Society Limited, a self-regulating Sacco in Thika Sub-County, KeNHA Axle
Load Control Manager Eng. Muita Ngatia said that the move was aimed at
enhancing axle load limits compliance so as to clamp down on overloading that
has wrecked the country’s road arteries, endangered the public and added
unnecessary and preventable burdens on the nation’s taxpayers.
“Initially, we have been having a problem with them (transporters)
because of gross overloading, hence we have decided to partner with these
Saccos and enlighten them on the advantages of self-regulation as we highlight
the dangers of overloading.
Primarily, most roads are supposed to last for about 15 years but due to
gross overloading, they only last 5 years,” said Ngatia.
Eng. Ngatia said that the roads authority was set to launch more
Saccos in order to increase the level of compliance in the region. He added
that plans were also at an advanced stage to formulate ways of having an
umbrella body that will cater for all the sand and construction transport Saccos,
to aid in self-regulation as well as regulating prices of commodities and
self-appraisal. He acknowledged that there has been drastic progress with the
level of compliance at a high since his authority started partnering with the
transporters.
However, he warned that as an authority, they would not
relent on imposing very heavy penalties on any transporter who flouted the
rules as they were mandated by law to protect the roads.
Eng. Isaiah Onsongo who is the Senior Engineer-axle load control (KeNHA) insisted that this move
was for the good of the truck owners since overloading has had negative effect
on our businesses.
“Overloading causes tear and wear which takes away all the
profit we think they are making. It also causes damage to our roads which in
turn causes wear and tear to our trucks.
He added that they started this initiative with the aim of
ensuring that the investors in the transport business got value for money and
also stabilise the market. He reckoned that they had achieved so much since that
inception of this initiative which included the drop in the prices of trucks.
“As it is right now, most of our clients are getting value
for their business. The price of trucks have also gone down. These prices were
high due to false demands as the notion that by overloading, the trucks were
assumed to be offering fast returns caused the vehicle dealers to overprize the
trucks that were in high demand due to their load capacity,” explained Eng.
Onsongo.
Currently there are 48 transporters Saccos working with
KeNHA to ensure compliance of axle load regulations and safety issues.
“In 2014 we had about 5 Saccos which has now risen to 48
currently and we expect this number to increase with time,” he said.
KIAMA Transporters Sacco chairperson Mr. John Mbugua (Mwalimu) said that
their association sought to instill safety, discipline and professionalism in sand
transporters and to provide a single, authoritative voice on issues of
importance regarding road transportation.
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| Some of the trucks plying their trade along Thika-Garissa Road going through a mobile weighbridge near Engen Petrol Station in Makongeni Thika. KeNHA officials are in the area sensitizing on the need to comply with the set axle load limits. |
“This Sacco will enable operators to pool resources and to
implement market-oriented strategies to serve customers well and increase
earnings. I appeal to all those who have not joined us to do so as this will
provide us with a united voice to engage all the stakeholders in this business,”
he added.
He promised to ensure that their members adhered to the axle
load limits both to protect the roads from destruction and maintain their
vehicle.
The KeNHA team will be in the area for the next 10 days
sensitising commercial truck traders on the need to be compliant and to self-regulate.
Axle load control is regulated through the Traffic Act cap
403, which also stipulates penalties. The penalties, enhanced under legal notice
no. 83 of 2013, range from Ksh.10,000 to Ksh. 400,000 for gross overload of 10
tonnes and above.
KIAMA Sacco brings together sand and building material
transporters operating between Machakos, Kitui, Garissa, Thika and Githurai in
Nairobi and aims to assist members meet their needs. It has about 70 members who
currently operated over 200 trucks.
Those present during the launch were James Mbugua (Secretary),
Benjamin Ngugi (Treasurer) and Peter Muli Kalungu (Vice Chairperson) among
other group members.
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