The Senate has clarified that the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act does not prohibit street preaching, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, explained on Monday that the amendment only retains the existing prohibition against preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles, adding that the provision has been part of the law since 2007.
According to him, the current amendment merely renumbers the provision from Item 36 to Item 49 in the Second Schedule of the Act without introducing any new restriction on religious activities in public spaces.
Bamidele stated that preaching and hawking in commercial buses are already offences under Section 10(4) of the FRSC Establishment Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012.
He stressed that the amendment is aimed at protecting commuters and ensuring safety on the nation’s roads rather than restricting religious freedom.
“The bill does not outlaw preaching on the streets as some interests have claimed. It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” he said.
The Senate Leader also clarified that the amendment did not originate from him, noting that it was first considered and passed by the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, in line with constitutional requirements.
He, however, assured Nigerians that the legislative process was still ongoing and that stakeholders could continue to submit their views before the bill is finalised.
The proposed amendment, passed by the Senate on July 14, also introduces stiffer penalties for several traffic offences. Under the bill, motorists who violate traffic lights, road signs or speed limits could face fines of up to ₦100,000.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances would also attract a ₦100,000 fine upon conviction, while motorists who refuse roadside breath tests could face a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both.
The bill further prescribes a ₦50,000 fine for hawking or trading inside commercial vehicles and imposes tougher sanctions for reckless driving, including a fine of ₦100,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the circumstances.
The Senate said the proposed legislation is designed to strengthen the operations of the FRSC and improve road safety across the country.
