The overload of heavy vehicles is accelerating the degradation of the platform of National Road Number One, particularly between the Save river and the Caia district, in the province of Sofala, over a stretch of 536 kilometers.

The delegate of the National Road Administration (ANE) in Sofala, António Devesse, said that to stop this situation the Road Regulation was activated, which culminated with the exemplary punishment of some offenders.

Devesse indicated that 386 drivers of goods transport were fined at the weighbridge installed at the Inchope junction in the first three months of this year, which resulted in a financial receipt of more than 2.9 million meticais.

The information was made public a few days ago at the first Annual Road Meeting in Sofala, an event led by the provincial secretary of state, Stella Zeca, which was attended by administrators from all 13 districts, businessmen and contractors.

Speaking to "Notícias", Devesse mentioned that 12,596 long distance vehicles were inspected at the Inchope control. The Dondo weighbridge also performed similar work.

The meeting also discussed the vandalization of traffic signs, a fact that contributes to the occurrence of traffic accidents, especially on the Save-Muxúnguè river axis. On this subject, ANE assured that this month it should begin to replace the signs, and the contract has already been awarded.

Additional data indicates that National Road Number One will be rehabilitated and widened this year along its entire length, work to be done in batches, with a budget estimated at 750 million US dollars.

To this end, the government is already negotiating with traditional partners, including the World Bank, to mobilize the necessary funds, while emergency work is underway to guarantee the circulation of people and goods. The most degraded axis comprises 275 kilometers, between Caia and Inchope, which is currently covered in about eight hours, compared to the previous 3.40 hours.