SLRA to Introduce Harmonized Axle Load Policy to Protect Roads, Trade

The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) is set to implement a harmonized axle load policy aimed at protecting the nation’s road infrastructure and boosting trade.

The new regulations are designed to align Sierra Leone’s transport standards with those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), providing a unified framework for safer and more efficient transport across the region.

ECOWAS first introduced its harmonized axle load policy in 2012 to regulate the weight of heavy trucks. The framework sets strict limits on cargo per axle: 10 tons for single axles, 16 tons for tandem axles, and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 46 tons. Its key objectives are to protect road infrastructure, improve road safety, and reduce transport costs.

For Sierra Leone, where road maintenance is expensive and the network remains vulnerable, the policy is particularly crucial. Overloaded trucks have long contributed to potholes, damaged highways, and unsafe driving conditions. Enforcing axle load limits is expected to preserve roads and reduce repair costs.

Deputy Director General of SLRA, Engineer Vandy French, emphasized that the policy will also strengthen Sierra Leone’s role in regional trade. Harmonized regulations will help reduce disputes at border points, ensure smoother transport of goods, and improve competitiveness for exports, including minerals and agricultural products.

Consultant Ing. Alpha Badamasi Savage highlighted the legal and safety dimensions of the policy, noting its alignment with national laws such as the Road Traffic Act, 2007 (Act No. 5 of 2007), and the Road Traffic (Axle Load and Overload Control) Regulations, 2015 (Statutory Instrument No. 1 of 2015). He said the ECOWAS framework complements Sierra Leone’s legal obligations while providing a regional approach to road safety and infrastructure protection.

Ing. Savage also noted that past challenges in enforcement and inter-agency coordination could be addressed under the new framework, offering a fresh opportunity for effective regulation.

With support from the African Development Bank, SLRA plans to install weighbridges and monitoring systems nationwide to ensure compliance with the policy.

The initiative has received backing from key stakeholders, including mayors, city council chairpersons, the Motor Drivers’ Union, mechanics, the Sierra Leone Police, the Road Safety Authority, and the Road Maintenance Fund Administration.

Augustine Sahr Sheku, Chairman of Kono District Council, described the policy as vital for protecting roads and ensuring public safety, while Superintendent Edmond Ernest of the Sierra Leone Police pledged full support in enforcing the new regulations.

During a two-day consultation, local authorities and stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the policy, underscoring its potential to protect Sierra Leone’s roads, enhance safety, facilitate cross-border trade, and strengthen regional partnerships.