Moz considers raising truck weight limit

CLIVE EMDON
MOZAMBIQUE IS considering a gradual increase in the permitted weight limit of vehicles and trailers on the Maputo, Beira and Nacala Development Corridors from its own current 38 tonnes to a regional standard of 56 tonnes by 2008. Transport Minister Antonio Mungwambe says that given the poor conditions of Mozambican roads and bridges, a gradual increase in permitted weight has been suggested, rather than immediate acceptance of the 56 tonne standard. He was speaking at a meeting of Mozambique’s National Road Traffic Council earlier this month where harmonisation of legislation on the maximum dimensions of vehicles and trailers between the member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) topped the agenda. According to the Mozambique Information Agency in Maputo the move is part of a regional integration programme that includes draft proposals on vehicle documentation and a new system of number plates. Regional standards set a maximum weight of vehicles and trailers at 56 tonnes. The Mozambican maximum is much lower at 38 tonnes. Mungwambe told reporters at the meeting that there were still many issues to be discussed before raising the maximum weight to the SADC norm. He said that because of the need to implement the SADC Trade Protocol, under which a free trade area will come into force by 2008, Mozambique should attempt to abide by the community rules on the maximum weight of vehicles by then, particularly in the Maputo, Beira, and Nacala Development Corridors. He stressed that this standard would not be applicable on other roads, particularly those in urban areas. The proposal on vehicle documentation seeks to reduce the number of papers that motorists are required to carry with them. It would fuse vehicle registration and ownership title into a single document. Mungwambe hopes that this proposal will be submitted to the government later this month.