Date Posted: 12/19/2012 8:15:45 AM
Posted By: Macawear88 Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 163
Government has to keep check on what is transporting into and throughout its country. As a result there is need for constant vigilance on the roads. Kenya has several weigh bridges which are located in different places. The permanent weighbridges and the most old ones are found at Mariakani in the Coast province as well as Gilgil in the Rift Valley. There are many others including those in Kisumu, Isebania, Webuye to mention but a few. The weighbridges are normally scaled to be able to check the weights and pressure that is exerted on the roads.The role of transport system in Kenya is important in economic and social sector. It is therefore imperative that these roads are protected from damage. Weighbridges are meant to ensure that the protection is enforced. According to Kenyan laws, the maximum a transportation truck can weigh is forty eight tonnes. This is gross weight meaning together with the luggage that is carried. Transportation trucks are required to have a maximum of three axles. This is a directive that was announced a few years ago but was to be implemented this year. Weigh bridges are points at which the compliance of such directives is checked. Unfortunately, there have been allegations of rampant corruption within these points. The government, in a bid to reduce corruption decided to tender the management of weigh bridges to private companies. The companies were Avery East Africa Limited and SGS Company. This has reduced corruption and thereby imply a higher level of compliance to the regulations. Compliance means that weigh bridges are important in road maintenance.
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