Drivers appeal to Standards Board to examine the axle equipment

GNA – Heavy duty truck drivers plying the Adomi
Bridge route have appealed to the Ghana Standards Board to examine the axle
weighing equipment on the Adom Bridge.
They expressed worry about disparities they encounter when the same
loadedtruck is weighed at Afienya on the Adomi Bridge and at Juapong end of
the bridge.
At a news conference at Atimpoku Mr Emmanuel Addae-Marfo, a spokesman
for the drivers, said more often they ensured that they loaded their trucks
within the weight limit of 30 tons only to be told on reaching the bridge
after another weighing that they exceeded the weight limit.
He cited as an example a situation where after loading chips at Afienya
and the vehicle was put on the scale it read 29.5 tons but when he got to
the bridge and the truck was weighed it read 31.60 tons.
Mr Addae-Marfo said when the same vehicle with the load was weighed at
the Juapong end of the bridge it read 32 tons.
He alleged that when those situations arose drivers were compelled to
part with monies between GHC 100 and GHC 150 to the officers on duty at the
spot before they would be allowed to cross the bridge.
Mr Addae-Marfo said if the bridge is weak and overloaded vehicles are
allowed to use it after the owners had ‘seen” the officers, then they would
“indirectly be helping to destroy the bridge further.”
He appealed to the government if possible to put a pontoon on the river
for use by heavy trucks.
GNA