Senate: FRSC amendment does not ban preaching or hawking in commercial vehicles
The Senate has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking inside commercial vehicles. According to the upper chamber, both activities have long been classified as offences under Section 10(4) of the FRSC Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012. The provision in question was previously Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act and has only been renumbered as Item 49 during the ongoing amendment process, a change that has been in force since the FRSC Act was enacted in 2007.
The Senate rejected claims that the legislation seeks to ban street preaching or limit freedom of worship, stating the rule is strictly about commuter safety and not intended to undermine any religious activity in public spaces. It also noted that the bill originated in the House of Representatives, not from Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and is currently before the Senate for concurrence. The legislative process remains ongoing, and the Senate urged stakeholders with concerns to engage through appropriate legislative channels before final passage.
Will you continue to rely on social media rumors about the FRSC amendment, or will you seek official legislative updates to understand what the change actually means for your daily commute and religious activities?