Preaching, hawking ban in commercial buses existed since 2007 - Senate

The Nigerian Senate has clarified that the prohibition of preaching and hawking within commercial vehicles is an existing law, not a new measure introduced by the current amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act. This clarification comes amid widespread public criticism following reports that the Senate passed a bill proposing a N50,000 fine for these offenses.

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The Senate has duly noticed public concerns on the purported proscription of preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle under the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007.

In a statement from the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate explained that these prohibitions are already enshrined in Section 10(4) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012. The offenses were previously listed as Item 36 in the Act's Second Schedule and have now been renumbered as Item 49 in the amended version under consideration.

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Preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are offences. The offences have been part of the Act before the current amendment.

The Senate stressed that the legislation does not aim to outlaw public or street preaching, countering claims circulating on social media. The primary intention, according to the statement, is to ensure the safety of commuters and other road users, not to suppress religious activities. The Senate Leader's office also distanced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from initiating the bill, noting it is a concurrence bill from the House of Representatives requiring Senate approval.

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Entrenched as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are not new provisions in our legal system. The provisions have been part of the Act as far back as 2007. However, it is now listed as Item 49, Second Schedule of the Act.

The amendment process is ongoing, and the Senate encouraged public engagement. The clarification aims to address public concerns and correct the perception that the Senate has introduced a new ban on preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles.

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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.