By Vaye A. Lepolu
MONROVIA – The National Road Fund of Liberia (NRF) has donated two Toyota pickup trucks to the Ministry of Transport, equipping enforcement teams to crack down on overloaded trucks that destroy roadways.
The handover ceremony marked a critical step in enforcing the long-dormant Axle Load Control Law of 2015. NRF representative, Mrs. Joseta Neufville-Wento, stated the donation is a direct investment in public safety, aligning with the fund’s mandate to go beyond mere road maintenance.
“The Axle Load Control Law already exists, and with this partnership, we are working with the Ministry of Transport to ensure it is effectively enforced,” Neufville-Wento declared. She linked the issue to a national crisis, citing World Health Organization data showing over 1,800 Liberians die in road accidents annually—a statistic she directly connected to the dangers of overloading and poor road conditions.
The NRF, which operates on an annual budget of US$40 million, is now explicitly prioritizing road safety alongside infrastructure, a shift in line with continental policy.
Receiving the vehicles, Deputy Minister for Land and Rail Transport, Mr. Rudolph G. Natt, hailed the donation as a “milestone.” He confirmed the trucks would be deployed to empower technicians tasked with enforcing axle-load and other critical safety regulations across the country.
The practical challenge is immense. Mr. Dave Daiwoo, Axle Load Consultant at the Ministry, revealed that Liberia currently relies on only four weighbridge stations (Clay, Ganta, Bo-Waterside, and Cotton Tree) to monitor the entire nation’s freight traffic. The new vehicles are crucial for mobile enforcement and supervision between these fixed points.
“Overloaded trucks are destroying our roads, and with these vehicles, we can better supervise, monitor, and protect our transport corridors,” Daiwoo asserted. He outlined an ambitious plan to expand the nation’s monitoring capacity, aiming for a total of 10 weighbridge stations by 2027.
This partnership signals a renewed and tangible effort to hold violators accountable. For Liberian commuters and the economy, it represents a crucial fight against the unchecked destruction of vital transport links and a commitment to making the nation’s roads safer for everyone.
