ERB,RTSA ink deal

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will facilitate joint inspection of fuel tankers for compliance to technical standards while on public roads.

Under the terms of the MoU ERB and RTSA will conduct joint inspections on highways on a quarterly basis with the main issues to be looked out for being the validity of the licenses issued by both institutions and compliance of the petroleum transporters to road safety measures implemented by either party.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, ERB Executive Director Langiwe Lungu says other issues the joint inspections will look at are the perpetual offenders for subsequent prosecution as well as compliance by petroleum transporters to set technical and road standards.

Ms. Lungu has explained that the reason her Board has entered into this MoU agreement is due to the fact that the ERB does not have the mandate to stop and inspect fuel tankers on public roads while RTSA on the other hand does have the technical expertise to determine the compliance level of vehicles with regards to transportation of petroleum products.

And RTSA Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko has also disclosed that under the MoU the two institutions will also work together in the area of certifying drivers of dangerous goods.

Mr. Soko has explained that this is in an effort to ensure that the drivers of these goods are sufficiently competent to handle the goods they transport as well know what to do in an event of an accident involving vehicles transporting petroleum products.

He has since expressed optimism that these measures which will be implemented effective today Monday, 4th May will go a long way in ensuring road safety in the country.