Magufuli wants containers moved to Ruvu by railway
Minster for Works, Dr John Magufuli, speaks to Vigwaza resident whose house was demolished to pave the way for building a modern Weighbridge in Kibaha District, Coast Region, during his tour of the area to inspect road infrastructure. PHOTO|VENANCE NESTORY
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According to Dr John Magufuli, the heavy trucks should be made to collect the containers from Ruvu and avoid the competition on the already clogged city roads.
Dar es Salaam. Works minister, Dr John Magufuli, wants transit containers moved from the Dar es Salaam port to Ruvu station using the rail transport system to avoid jamming the busy highway by lorries.
The minister said the move would, to a large extent, reduce congestion in the city and neighbouring towns in the Coast Region.
According to Dr John Magufuli, the heavy trucks should be made to collect the containers from Ruvu to reduce competition for space on the already clogged city roads.
“We need to use the railway because apart from helping us reduce traffic jams, it will alleviate road damages,” he noted. He added that the move should be effected as soon as possible because the infrastructure is intact. He, however, noted that the matter required joint efforts.
Speaking at Kibaha District in the Coast Region during a tour of the new weighbridge which is being constructed at Vigwaza, the minister said there was a need to engage all sectors dealing with transportation as a way of dealing with traffic jams and the road network damage.
“We need to take care of the roads because we are incurring high costs to build and maintain them,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the minister toured the newly built modern weighbridge worth Sh11.7 billion as part of the government’s plan to reduce unnecessary stoppages for long distance transporters.
“This weighbridge will help both sides, because there will be a hump 200 metres before the weighbridge to detect lorries which have exceeded the set weight limit,” detailed Dr Magufuli.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Mussa Iyombe, said that it was the first modern weighbridge to be built in Tanzania. “We are optimistic that it will help us in catching those who exceed the set weight limit,” he said.
Tanroads CEO Patrick Mfugale said that not all road usage will be needed to be weighed, “only lorries being detected will be directed to pass at the weighbridge for verification, and if they are found guilty the drivers will be fined,” he said.
