Cotonou, Benin – Transport sector experts from ECOWAS and UEMOA member states, regional road transport organizations, civil society, and technical partners gathered in Cotonou, Benin, to address the issue of heavyweights contributing to deteriorating roads.
The hybrid technical meeting, organized jointly by the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, aimed to assess the implementation of the ECOWAS Additional Act on the Harmonization of Standards and Procedures for Control of Dimensions, Weight, and Load at the Axle of vehicles transporting goods in West Africa, harmonized with UEMOA Regulation 14.
The meeting sought to agree on key actions for the ECOWAS Commission, UEMOA, member states, transport operators, stakeholders, and technical and financial partners to implement the new Harmonized Additional Act on Axle Load Control. Several recommendations were adopted at the end of the two-day discussions.
Recommendations included transmitting the signed Additional Regional Harmonized Act to Member States, finalizing a regional harmonized action plan for implementation, supporting the professionalization and renewal of the carrier fleet, removing non-tariff barriers, and establishing an appropriate institutional framework to guide uniform implementation of the additional act.
Member States were also urged to raise awareness among actors and stakeholders on the implementation of the Additional Act and to initiate awareness among carriers and civil society. Technical and financial partners were asked to support ECOWAS and UEMOA in regional coordination of the implementation of the Additional Act on Axle Load Control. Transport and civil society stakeholders were recommended to participate in awareness raising and collaborate with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (FIT), ECOWAS, and UEMOA to support efforts to professionalize the transport industry in West Africa.
At the opening of the meeting, H.E. Amadou DIONGUE, Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Benin, emphasized the importance of the additional act for Member States and the regional economy. He highlighted the potential impact of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Expressway on regional integration, as it is expected to support over 75% of community trade.
Mr. Chris APPIAH, Acting Director of Transport of ECOWAS, recalled the history of the additional act and the various contacts with ECOWAS Member States, UEMOA, technical partners, and structures responsible for the legality of regional texts. He acknowledged progress made but emphasized the remaining challenges to be overcome. He also expressed a desire for West Africa to learn from the experiences of other African economic regions, such as EAC, SADC, and COMESA, in adopting a unified protocol for management and control on road axes.
M. Aboubakar Sidiki TOURE, Director of Infrastructure, UEMOA, acknowledged the progress made in reducing overloading on road axes but highlighted the ongoing challenges due to the continued deterioration of regional road infrastructures by heavy trucks. He assured the meeting of UEMOA’s commitment to collaborate with ECOWAS and Member States to implement the new Supplementary Act.
The 61st Summit of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS approved and adopted the ECOWAS Additional Act A/SA. 3/07/22 amending the Additional Act/SP. 17/02/12 on the harmonization of standards and procedures for the control of dimensions, weight, and load on the axle of freight transport vehicles in West Africa, harmonized with UEMOA Regulation 14. The 65th Summit, held in Abuja, Nigeria, noted the continuing excessive damage to community roads due to overloading and urged Member States to comply with axle load limits in the new Harmonized Community Text.
