GPF to get 400 clamps to enforce weight limit for trucks

The Ministry of Public Works has announced that 400 heavy-duty vehicle clamp will be officially handed over to the Guyana Police Force. This critical resource will target errant drivers who continue to disregard the government’s continuous appeals to desist from transporting overweight material and cargo.

This development was revealed by the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, during a live broadcast via the Ministry’s official Facebook page. Minister Edghill emphasised that this procurement is a vital component of a major, nationwide enforcement drive specifically targeting overloaded trucks and illegally parked heavy-duty vehicles along the country’s primary roadways.

During his address, Minister Edghill expressed his satisfaction with the arrival and distribution of the enforcement tools, noting that the government’s procurement of the 400 clamps has been successfully completed and the equipment is now in the country. He issued a stern warning to operators, informing them that the stricter enforcement measures previously voiced by the administration are now an active reality.

The Minister made it clear that operators of overloaded trucks and those who park vehicles illegally on public roads and road shoulders will face immediate consequences.Specifically, trucks carrying more than the legally prescribed limit of 15 tonnes per axle, in keeping with established regulations, will be clamped, detained, and subjected to legal charges.

Minister Edghill emphasised that this enforcement also extends to trailers and heavy-duty equipment parked on public roads and shoulders, where they create severe hazards for motorists. He warned operators that once their vehicles are clamped and charges are pressed, the Ministry will not hesitate to physically remove the obstructions where necessary.

In line with standard legal procedures, owners will be required to fully reimburse the government for the total cost of removing and storing their vehicles before they can be released. Citing the legal provisions under the Roads Act, the Minister reiterated that owners will only be able to retrieve their property once they have paid every dollar of the operational expenses incurred by the state to move and transport the vehicles, thereby fully honouring their obligations.

This strict clamping initiative is a critical intervention directly linked to preserving public safety on the roadways of Guyana. Illegally parked heavy-duty machinery and trailers left on road shoulders are a leading cause of severe, often fatal, accidents, particularly during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced. Road shoulders are engineered as safety buffers for emergency use and breakdowns, not as long-term private parking zones. Furthermore, overloaded trucks pose an immense danger to all road users by significantly increasing vehicle stopping distances and risking catastrophic mechanical or braking failures.

Beyond the immediate preservation of human lives, this enforcement drive is essential for protecting the historic level of public investment currently being poured into Guyana’s road infrastructure. The government is investing billions of taxpayers’ dollars to construct world-class highways, bridges, and culverts designed to foster national development and improve the daily commute of all citizens.

When operators knowingly run overloaded trucks, they rapidly degrade these newly laid roads, causing premature rutting, deep potholes, and structural failures. Restricting vehicle weights is crucial to ensuring that public funds are utilised to build new infrastructure for developing communities, rather than being constantly diverted to repair preventable, premature wear and tear.

The Ministry of Public Works recognises that sustainable safety and order on the nation’s roadways cannot be achieved through government enforcement alone; it requires the active, patriotic cooperation of every citizen.

Members of the public are urged to assist the government by acting as the eyes and ears of their respective communities. By practising civic responsibility and refusing to tolerate illegal road blockages or weight limit violations, citizens play a direct role in safeguarding their families and protecting national property.

Any resident who observes illegally parked heavy machinery, dumped vehicles, or suspected overweight operations is encouraged to report these hazards directly to the Ministry of Public Works hotline at 624 2964, or to contact their nearest Guyana Police Force traffic department, as we work together to build a safer and more resilient transport network for everyone.