SENATE CLARIFIES FRSC ACT AMENDMENT DOES NOT INTRODUCE NEW BAN, BUT ONLY REINSTATE BAN ON PREACHING, HAWKING. (PHOTO).

Senate Clarifies FRSC Act Amendment Does Not Introduce New Ban, But Only Reinstate Ban on Preaching, Hawking

The Senate has clarified that its ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking, but only restates long-standing provisions that already prohibit those activities in commercial vehicles.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Leader of the Senate, the chamber said it had noted public concerns over reports of a 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 provision has been listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule to the 2007 Act for nearly two decades and appears as Item 49 under the current amendment.

The Senate stressed that the bill does not outlaw street preaching, as some have alleged. “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.

Lawmakers also clarified that the bill is not an initiative of Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. It is a concurrence bill first amended by the House of Representatives and requires Senate approval before it can become law.

The Senate noted that the amendment process remains ongoing and urged stakeholders to submit their concerns to the appropriate institutions before it is concluded.