The Nigerian Senate says the proposed amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, 2007, do not create a new prohibition against preaching or hawking inside commercial vehicles. In statements reported by multiple outlets, the Senate responds to public concerns by noting that such activities have been treated as offences under existing law. The Senate points to Section 10(4) of the 2007 FRSC Act and to Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 as the legal basis for the restrictions. The Senate also says the relevant provision originally appears in the Second Schedule (reported as Item 36) and is later renumbered (reported as Item 49) as part of the amendments.
According to the Senate, the bill’s intent is commuter and road-user safety rather than limiting religious activity in public spaces. One outlet also reports the Senate describes the bill as a concurrence measure from the House of Representatives rather than an initiative associated with the Senate leadership.
