The Senate has responded to public outrage over reports that it was introducing a ban on preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles, clarifying that the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act does not create any new prohibition.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, the upper chamber said the amendment merely retains existing provisions that have been part of Nigeria’s road traffic laws for years.
According to the Senate, Section 10(4) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, already classify preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles as offences.
It explained that the provision previously appeared as Item 36 in the Second Schedule to the 2007 Act and has remained in force for nearly two decades. Under the proposed amendment, the same provision has simply been renumbered as Item 49 in the Second Schedule.
The Senate stressed that the bill does not seek to outlaw street preaching, contrary to claims circulating in some quarters.
“It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” the statement said.
The chamber also clarified that the bill was not sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. It explained that the legislation is a concurrence bill, having already been amended and passed by the House of Representatives, and now requires Senate approval before it can be transmitted for assent.
The Senate noted that the legislative process is still ongoing and encouraged stakeholders with concerns to channel their observations through the appropriate legislative institutions before the amendment is concluded.
