Stakeholders in the road transport industry from the five EAC countries met in Nairobi on 30-31st May 2011 to review a study on harmonization of overload control regulations in the EAC region. The study, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was commissioned by the EAC secretariat and conducted by Padeco Co. Ltd of Japan. The study reviewed existing laws and regulations on vehicle overload control, maintenance of the EAC regional trunk road network, existing charges and fines and strategies for harmonized charging, axle load and gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits as well as accommodation of vehicle technology development. In addition, weighbridge operations and management and recommended the formulation of an EAC regional legal instrument to govern overloading in the region.

Some of the issues under discussion were maximum allowable weights, tolerance limits on GVW and axle load, use of liftable axles, adoption of super single tyres  (wider than conventional tyres at 315mm) and use of inter links without conditions. All countries agreed to decriminalize overloading such that the authorities in charge of highways collect fines and channel them back into roads maintenance as opposed to the current system where fines go to the exchequer. Partner states were also for the idea of self regulation by transporters, a decision that needs to be supported by governments for enforcement purposes.

A decision on the modality of the legal instrument to be applied by the partner states in axle load control was kept in abeyance to be discussed by the taskforce on harmonization.

The full report can be viewed at www.kenyashippers.org/informationcenter