Clashing axle-load limits raising cost of living in EAC

By Luke Anami

The lack of a harmonised axle load and vehicle weight limits has contributed to the high cost of living being witnessed in the East African Community, Richard Sezibera, EAC new Secretary General has said.

In his first public function in Kenya since taking over from Juma Mwapachu, Dr Sezibera said the current practice of different axle load and gross vehicle mass (weight) limits among the Partner States is one of the biggest impediments to efficient transport within the region.

"A number of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) including differences in axle load and a high number of weighbridges are responsible for high transport costs in the region," Sezibera, said. He was speaking during the opening of the 2nd stakeholders meeting on the study for the harmonisation of vehicle overload control laws and regulations in EAC, which was held yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.

"The costs are then passed on to the consumer in form taxes and levies, which in turn lead to high cost of living within the region."

Counter productive

Currently, some EAC countries impose a 56 tonne requirement, while others such as Kenya apply 48 tonnes requirement, which is counter productive as it penalises producers, consumers, industry and raises the cost of doing business.

Sezibera said the cost of cross border transport is between three and five times more expensive in Africa than in Asia and Lain America due to a number of NTBs, which are self imposed.

"It is basic economics that a society cannot develop if the cost of food and transport comprise a high percentage of its expenditures," the secretary general pointed out.

Rationalising and harmonising of axle weight loading will not only remove a big logistics burden from operators and investors in the region, it will also boost the East African brand, which the East African Community is keen on promoting.