Tenkodogo: Non-compliance with clearance standards by road hauliers in several locations in Burkina Faso remains a reality. An AIB team visited Tenkodogo, in the Centre-East region, and noted the deterioration of National Road No. 16 (RN16), due to heavy traffic and the uncivil behavior of some drivers on the Tenkodogo-Cinkans© axis.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Burkina Faso is committed to several development projects, particularly those related to road infrastructure. However, the uncivil behavior of some road users is compromising this momentum. Oversized trucks, due to overloading or vehicle modifications, are contributing to the deterioration of the roads. The Ministry of Security issued a press release dated June 27, 2025, reminding all users, particularly carriers, of the urgent need to comply with clearance standards and traffic regulations. Penalties will be imposed on violators starting August 1.
The situation on the RN16 is extremely concerning. The AIB reporting team spent time with a Customs inspection team on this strategic route, specifically in the village of Koknongo, about ten kilometers south of Tenkodogo. More than a hundred vehicles were seen in circulation. A few road users, visibly overloaded, agreed to speak out. Most of the drivers of these oversized trucks, however, preferred to remain silent, fearing reprisals from their employers.
According to Morou Abdou Salam, a Togolese driver of an overloaded truck, the Burkinabe government's statement on respecting axle load limits is a positive development, as it ensures safety. Overweight damages the asphalt and causes numerous accidents. For Nigerien Moubarack Moctar, a heavy-duty truck driver, the imposition of penalties by August 1 is beneficial for salaried drivers, as a less heavily loaded vehicle operates better and more safely. He is currently transporting 47 tons when the limit is 40, which endangers everyone, and he plans to raise awareness among his bosses about respecting the load limit.
Bouboukary Diao, a Koknongo resident and roadside meat griller, expressed his frustration with this incivility, welcoming the government's effort to tackle the problem. He noted that overloaded trucks damage roads, leading to frequent accidents, and residents often provide assistance to the injured.
The decision to punish uncivil behavior is not new, but prior attempts have been unsuccessful. Oumarou Gouem, Deputy Regional Director of Customs for the Centre-East, acknowledges that axle control measures have struggled to be implemented since 2005, and he hopes this attempt will succeed. He advocates reviewing past measures, assessing failures, and adopting appropriate strategies. Gouem emphasizes the need for stakeholder involvement under the Ministry of Security's leadership and suggests informing neighboring countries of the new measures and supporting carriers in compliance efforts.
Gilbert Thiombiano, president of the single umbrella organization of Koup©la transporters, urges truck owners to comply with the Ministry of Security's statement before August 1 for the country's smooth functioning. Lucie Dial/Zongo, regional director of urban mobility for the Centre-East, calls for the involvement of various control forces and emphasizes the need for accurate load measurement devices.
Burkina Faso's march toward development is underway, with the Ministry of Security calling for responsibility and civic-mindedness to preserve shared heritage and ensure safety.