Minister launches special lifting truck for abnormal loads
Feb 17, 2020
“The truck puts less pressure on the road, it respects axle loads, it uses modern axle systems with an hydraulic system, it has twin tiers, and it is stable. It can go through bad roads and terrain,” Ntanyungura said.
OIL AND GAS
The state minister for works Joy Kabatsi has said that transporters who wish to transport abnormal loads have to seek permission from government.
Kabatsi said that as the country is engaging in various activities in the oil and gas sector including exploration, building the refinery, the pipeline, the Hoima Airport, roads companies will find business opportunities in acquiring extra heavy-duty transport equipment.
This was during the launch of special transport equipment for the oil and gas industry. The function took place at the ministry of works head office in Kampala.
"Government supports such capital intensive investments by the private sector which is aimed at strengthening Uganda's commercial competitiveness in the region," she said. She explained that such equipment are beyond the limits specified in the Vehicle Dimensions and Load Control Regulations 2017. "This means that the equipment shall only use the road with special permission granted by my office," Kabatsi said.
Mathew Ntanyungura, operations manager TRANSEAST Group said the truck will be useful when abnormally wide and difficult loads start arriving in Uganda for the oil and gas industry. He said such loads will include refinery equipment. Ntanyungura said the trucks are being presently used to transport transformers for the power industry.
"The truck puts less pressure on the road, it respects axle loads, it uses modern axle systems with an hydraulic system, it has twin tiers, and it is stable. It can go through bad roads and terrain," Ntanyungura said.
Waiswa Bageya, the permanent secretary ministry of works and transport said that a truck that does not damage roads was good for Uganda. Bageya noted that roads in Uganda in some sections were damaged because of overloading trucks and not respecting axle loads. Bageya urged Ugandans to export more given the availability of many empty containers returning to Mombasa Port after delivering imports. "More empty containers go back to Mombasa Port, it is unfortunate," Bageya said.