BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act, with the key objective being “strengthening road management across the country”.
The act is one of the country’s old pieces of legislation and contains outdated provisions that no longer reflect current conditions.
Minister for Infrastructure Development, Ricky Fuo’o, made the remarks during a recent MID press conference, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to pursue the amendment.
He said that while the government and its donor partners continue to invest in developing roads nationwide, it is equally important to ensure those roads are properly managed.
“For example, one of the issues is the weight of vehicles using our roads. Many of these roads were not designed for vehicles carrying loads exceeding 15 to 18 tonnes or more.
“However, the ministry currently has no legal measures in place to control and manage road use or to penalise offenders,” Fuo’o said.
The minister said this is the main idea behind the proposed amendment, which the ministry hopes to table in parliament by the third quarter of this year.
He added that despite the limitations, the Road Transport Board (RTB) continues to support the ministry in road management efforts.
Fuo’o emphasised that while the ministry is committed to building quality infrastructure, it is equally crucial to ensure the proper use and management of those assets.
If the amendment is passed, the ministry will look at establishing an authority responsible for vehicle weighing and enforcing penalties for those exceeding legal load limits.
The minister said the proposal goes beyond improving infrastructure quality and focuses on strengthening administrative and regulatory systems through amendments to the act.
He said someone has to pay for these roads and it is important that this amendment is passed to safeguard the proper management of our roads.
Photo: MID
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