The Senate has clarified that the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act does not seek to ban preaching on the streets, saying the provision on preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles has existed in law for years.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, the upper chamber said public concerns that the amendment was introducing a new ban were misplaced.
According to the statement, both the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations already prohibit preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles. The Directorate noted that the provision was part of the original Act and is only being retained in the current amendment, with a renumbering in the Second Schedule.
“The Bill, therefore, does not outlaw preaching on the streets as some interests have claimed in different fora. It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” the statement said.
The Directorate also clarified that the Bill is not sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. It explained that the legislation is a concurrence bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence as required by the Constitution.
The Senate added that the amendment process is still ongoing and called on stakeholders to submit their inputs through appropriate channels before the process is concluded.
“The amendment is aimed at strengthening road safety and protecting commuters. In the spirit of democracy, stakeholders can channel their concerns to the appropriate institutions before the completion of the process,” the Directorate stated.
The clarification follows widespread discussion on social media and in some quarters that the proposed amendment was targeting religious activities.
