By Yiep Joseph
Vice President and Chair of Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng has called on the stakeholders and institutions to continue raising public awareness of weighbridges.
A weighbridge, or a truck weighbridge scale, is an instrument used to weigh very heavy loads carried by vehicles.
The high-speed weighing component uses sensors to estimate the vehicle’s load while it’s still in motion, providing a quick assessment of whether a vehicle is likely overloaded.
During the official opening of the workshop conducted in Juba on operationalizing the newly installed weighbridge at the border of Nimule town, Vice President Taban urged the stakeholders to educate the public on its use and importance.
According to the statement extended to the media, Vice President Taban expressed that the weighbridge will play a role in accurate measurement, compliance with regulations, and preventing overloading, among other things.
He called on the institutions tasked to continue with awareness to ensure that the public is informed about the weighbridge and its importance.
VP urged stakeholders to educate the public on the benefits of weighbridges in protecting roads and ensuring fair trade practices in the country.
He expressed that weighbridges are common practice across the world and they carry a lot of benefits.
“The newly installed weighbridge will play a vital role in promoting road safety and fair-trade practices in South Sudan,” he said.
“With its accurate measurement capabilities, it will prevent overloading, which can cause damage to roads and pose a risk to other motorists,” he added.
He added that the weighbridge will also help the government in enforcing weight regulations and collecting accurate toll fees for commercial vehicles.
On his part, the Minister of Roads & Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, called on the partners to work closely with the government in promoting the use of the weighbridges.
Mijok highlighted the need for collaboration in ensuring the success of the project and urged stakeholders to support the government’s efforts in developing and maintaining road infrastructure.
“The government of South Sudan is committed to improving road networks and ensuring the safety of our citizens and visitors,” he said.
“we call on all stakeholders to support our efforts in promoting road safety and fair-trade practices,” he added.
Minister Mijok appreciated partners for their contribution in building the weighbridges and working hand in hand with the government.
“We would like to thank our partners and all those who have contributed to the successful installation and operationalization of the weighbridge,” he said.
“The government looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with all stakeholders in ensuring the success of this project and advancing our country’s development goals,” he added.
In 2024 South Sudan conducted a test of the first-ever installed weighbridge system at the Nimule border crossing, marking a significant step toward enhancing transport monitoring and regulation.
According to the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, the primary aim of the newly installed weighbridge system at the Nimule border is to monitor and measure vehicle loads, helping to mitigate the damage caused by overloading on South Sudan’s main roads.
Overloaded vehicles are a major factor in road deterioration, leading to costly repairs and reduced road lifespan.