The Senate has issued a clarification regarding the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, 2007, emphasizing that the legislation does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking inside commercial vehicles.
Addressing recent public concerns, the upper chamber noted that preaching and hawking in commercial transport have been illegal under Nigerian law for nearly two decades, as stipulated by Section 10(4) of the FRSC Act 2007 and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012.
The current legislative process merely renumbers this pre-existing provision from Item 36 to Item 49 in the bill’s Second Schedule to streamline the statutory text.
In an official statement released on Monday by the Office of the Senate Leader, the chamber debunked rumors that the bill targets street preaching or seeks to curb freedom of religion.
“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 clarified.
Key Clarifications Issued by the Senate:
Bill Origin: Contrary to reports, the amendment bill was not authored or sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. It originated in the House of Representatives and is before the Senate as a concurrence bill pursuant to the 1999 Constitution.
Focus on Road Safety: The regulation remains strictly focused on preventing driver distraction and enhancing passenger safety within moving commercial vehicles.
Ongoing Legislative Process: The bill remains open for public input, and citizens, religious organizations, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views through official legislative channels.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to transparent governance and open dialogue while assuring the public that the primary objective of the FRSC Amendment Bill remains the protection of lives across Nigeria’s road networks.
