More pressure is mounting for Blantyre City Council (BCC) to reverse its decision restricting heavy goods trucks exceeding 15 metric tonnes from accessing the city between 6am and 6pm, with Road Transport Operators Association joining the protest.
Road Transport Operators Association (RTOA), led by its vice-chairperson Almateen Mussa, yesterday stormed BCC civic offices in Blantyre to present their grievances. Among others, the association asked BCC to reverse its decision citing lack of bypass roads to industrial sites and inadequate secure parking in border towns among the key concerns.
RTOA further argues that restricting heavy goods trucks movement during daytime will delay cargo delivery which will also affect businesses that rely on timely shipments such as fuel.
Said Mussa: “The ban can strain relations between transporters, manufacturers and logistics firms, leading to disputes over enforcement and compliance. The trucks will also be exposed to theft and robbery.”
The association then proposed that BCC should consider constructing a designated truck yards with security in industrial sites and restricted areas’ boundaries and develop alternative routes for trucks to bypass congested city centres.
It also proposed that BCC should collaborate with transporters, logistics firms and businesses to tailor solutions that balance city needs with operational realities.
RTOA’s position comes barely a day after a group of concerned heavy goods vehicle owners also petitioned BCC on the matter. The group also argued that Blantyre as Malawi’s commercial hub, relies heavily on efficient logistics and any disruption to truck movement during peak business hours could result in serious economic consequences.
They further warned that limiting daytime access for heavy trucks could strain supply chains, potentially affecting businesses, healthcare facilities and consumers, while also escalating transportation costs that may ultimately be passed on to the public.
Earlier yesterday, BCC officials led by director of human resource Alfred Nyengo and director of legal services Mphatso Matandika barred journalists from covering the meeting with RTOA officials. Matandika threatened not to attend the meeting if journalists would be allowed to attend. But following the differences, journalists moved out of the meeting.
In an interview after the meeting Mussa said BCC heard their grievances and assured to give them feedback tomorrow Friday. Nyengo and Matandika could not grant journalists interviews.
BCC spokesperson Deborah Luka is on record having said the regulation restricting heavy goods vehicles is not new but stems from existing by-laws that were formulated some time ago.
She said BCC had just intensified enforcement due to growing traffic congestion and safety concerns within the city.
The restriction areas are from Nantipwiri Filling Station in Thyolo, Banana Roadblock in Bangwe, Puma Filling Station at Green Corner, Ngumbe Roadblock at Kameza GDC, Chiradzulu Turnoff Roundabout at Mapanga and Yasin Roadblock in Chiradzulu.
