Govt. cracks down on overweight trucks

Nov 12, 2025 News

…new 15-ton axle limit, clamping to begin

(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Public Works has announced a nationwide crackdown on overweight trucks, warning operators that the government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to protect Guyana’s expanding road network.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill on Thursday declared that a national weight restriction of 15 tons per axle is now in effect, following widespread findings of overloaded vehicles causing severe and costly road damage.

Trucks will soon face weight restriction.

On Thursday, Edghill, Minister within the Ministry Madanlall Ramraj, along with Commissioner of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison and Deputy Commissioner, Jimmy Reece, met with quarry owners in the ministry’s boardroom. The meeting follows a countrywide weight testing exercise by the Ministry’s Traffic and Maintenance Department.

At the meeting Edghill made it clear; the ministry will also be implementing clamping of overweight trucks exercise. He stated this is set to commence after the procurement of 1,000 clamps. The minister charged the operators to collaborate with government to ensure the road infrastructure remains in good condition. “Roads have lives, and those lives are being cut short not just by traffic volume, but by weight overload. Most of these roads have a 20 years lifespan; however, these can be cut to seven due to these challenges. So, you have to help us by only loading the trucks with the material to match their weight limit. And you can do so by having on-site scales at your quarries. Don’t let trucks leave your quarry overweight” Minister Edghill emphasised.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

The meeting also discussed the importance of enforcing the respective weight limits per axle of trucks that carry aggregate along the country’s roadways. They agreed that a national weight restriction of 15 tons per axle is in effect to curb the excessive deterioration to the road surfaces.

The sand, loam and stone quarry owners were reminded of their responsibility in ensuring compliance as failure to do so will result in the owners losing economic activity and earnings. Minister Edghill reminded all present at the meeting, their partnership with government is not meant to be punitive but rather a corrective system for a new culture on the roadways.

“We don’t want to use these clamps, we want everyone to comply. We’re guided by principles, and everyone must follow the rules. Non-compliance will not be tolerated.” He reiterated.

The establishment of weighing sites along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and the Linden to Mabura Trail will also be explored by the Ministries of Public Works and Natural Resources. This also intends to address logging haulers to ensure weight compliance. Since the roll out, over 1000 trucks have been tested, with many surpassing the limit and revealing the growing non-compliance among truck operators.

Minister Ramraj echoed similar sentiments, noting that government is on an aggressive transformational agenda, noting that the financial impact of reassigning monies to road repairs means that those moneys for new infrastructure, will be diverted thus slowing down the development of the country. “It’s very costly to repair roads, and especially when those repairs could be prevented,” he said. “If we don’t protect what we have, the money set aside for new development will go into fixing existing damage.” He stated.

He further stated, the ministry remains cognizant of the importance of partnerships with the construction sector, particularly the stone, sand and loam are essential to progress but they must be transported responsibly.

The ministry’s compliance efforts are also being compounded by other initiatives including the recently launched WhatsApp hotline numbers. These were established for citizens and contractors to raise grievances and make reports about all related issues. Since its establishment, over 100 reports about various issues were lodged within the first 24 hrs.

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axle limit, clamping, GGMC, overweight trucks, trucks, Weight restriction

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