Senate clarifies FRSC bill: preaching ban limited to buses, not public streets

The Senate has clarified that its amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Act only reaffirms an existing ban on preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles, and does not outlaw street preaching as widely speculated.

Senate Clarifies: No Ban on Street Preaching

Relax, preachers — the streets are still yours. According to Tribune Online, the Senate has clarified that its recent amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Act does not ban street preaching, contrary to public speculation.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the law only repositioned an existing provision banning preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles — moved from Item 36 to Item 49 in the Act’s Second Schedule — a rule that has existed since 2007.

He stressed the provision targets commuter safety, not religious activity. The amended bill, passed July 14, also introduces stiffer fines up to N100,000 for traffic offences, drunk driving, reckless driving and refusing breath tests.