THE Senate has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, 2007, does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking in commercial vehicles, amid growing public concerns surrounding the legislation.
News Point Nigeria reports that the upper chamber explained that preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles are already recognised as offences under existing Nigerian laws, specifically Section 10(4) of the FRSC Establishment Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012.
According to the Senate, the provision in question, which was previously listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, has merely been renumbered as Item 49 in the ongoing amendment process.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Office of the Senate Leader, which noted that the provision has been part of Nigerian law since the enactment of the FRSC Establishment Act in 2007.
The Senate also dismissed claims that the amendment bill seeks to prohibit street preaching or restrict religious activities in public spaces.
“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 upper chamber further clarified that the amendment bill was not sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.
According to the Senate, the legislation originated from the House of Representatives and is currently before the Senate as a concurrence bill in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate explained that the legislative process is still ongoing and urged stakeholders who have concerns about the bill to channel their views through the appropriate legislative processes before its eventual passage.
The chamber reiterated its commitment to transparency, public engagement and inclusive lawmaking, stressing that the proposed amendment is primarily aimed at strengthening road safety measures and protecting commuters and other road users across the country.
The Senate maintained that the objective of the amendment is to enhance safety on Nigerian roads and not to target religious practices or legitimate public activities, urging members of the public to seek accurate information on the contents of the bill.
