Drivers appeal to Standards Board to examine the axle equipment

Atimpoku (ER) Feb, 05 GNA - Heavy duty truck drivers plying the Adomi Bridge route have appealed to the Ghana Standards Board to examine the ax= le 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 truc= ks 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 Afieny= a 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 t= he 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 wou= ld "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.