The Senate has clarified that the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC Act does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking, but only restates existing provisions relating to commercial vehicles.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, the chamber said it had noted public concerns over the purported proscription.
According to the statement, Section 10(4) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, already make preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles offences.
The Senate explained that the provision was entrenched as Item 36 in the Second Schedule to the 2007 Act and has been in existence for nearly two decades.
Under the current amendment, it said the same provision is now listed as Item 49 in the Second Schedule.
The Senate stressed that the bill does not outlaw street preaching, as alleged 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 is not an initiative of the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, noting that it is a concurrence bill first amended by the House of Representatives and requiring Senate concurrence before it can become law.
The Senate added that the amendment process is still ongoing and urged stakeholders to submit their concerns to the appropriate institutions before its conclusion.
