Transporters protest BCC’s truck movement restrictions

Some transporters in Malawi have given Blantyre City Council (BCC) a five-day ultimatum to reconsider its decision to restrict heavy goods trucks exceeding 15 metric tonnes from entering the city between 6am and 6pm. The group, describing itself as concerned transporters, fears the restriction will negatively affect the smooth flow of goods, including fuel distribution, industrial production and broader supply chains that depend on timely transportation. They further argue that limiting daytime access for heavy trucks may lead to delays, increased operational costs and potential shortages of critical supplies such as medicine within the commercial hub.

Speaking after presenting a petition at Blantyre Civic Offices yesterday, the group’s representative Stewart Chiuye said the council should have consulted key stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector before implementing stricter enforcement of the by-law. He noted that while similar restrictions have worked in cities such as Lilongwe, those areas benefit from bypass roads that allow heavy trucks to access industrial zones without passing through congested central areas. Said Chiuye: “Blantyre does not have bypass roads leading directly to industrial sites.

On top of that, industrial areas are scattered across the city, including Makata, Maone, Mapanga and Chirimba and trucks have to pass through the said restricted zones to reach them. “Consultation would have helped address these realities. So we have, therefore, given the council five days to address our concerns.” In a separate interview, Blantyre City Council spokesperson Deborah Luka said the regulation restricting heavy goods vehicles is not new but stems from existing by-laws that were formulated some time ago.

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She said the council has just intensified enforcement due to growing traffic congestion and safety concerns within the city. “Management will review their concerns and determine how best the grievances can be handled. However, these are longstanding by-laws.

There is nothing new about them,” said Luka. When the transporters arrived at BCC offices to deliver their petition, council officials advised them to submit it formally to the office of chief executive officer Dennis Chinseu, who is reportedly in Morocco alongside Blantyre Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman. 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.

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