Senate Confirms FRSC Bill Does Not Ban Street Preaching

The Senate addressed public concerns regarding the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) (Establishment) Act, asserting that it does not aim to prohibit street preaching or introduce new offences against religious activities in public places. The Senate clarified that the provisions criminalizing preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles have been part of the FRSC Act since its enactment in 2007 and are merely being renumbered in the current amendment process.

The existing law, under Section 10(4) of the FRSC Act, already classifies these activities as traffic offences. The Senate emphasized that the objective of retaining these provisions is to enhance road safety by preventing distractions that could endanger passengers and drivers.

Furthermore, the Senate clarified that the amendment was not initiated by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, but originated from the House of Representatives, where initial amendments were made.