Upper chamber says preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles have remained offences under existing laws since 2007.
The Senate has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, 2007, does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking in commercial vehicles.
The clarification follows public concerns that the amendment bill seeks to prohibit religious activities in public spaces.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Office of the Senate Leader, the upper chamber explained that preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles are already offences under Section 10(4) of the FRSC Establishment Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012.
According to the Senate, the provision, previously listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, has merely been renumbered as Item 49 in the ongoing amendment process.
“The provision has been part of Nigerian law since the enactment of the FRSC Establishment Act in 2007. It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” the statement read.
The Senate also dismissed claims that the amendment bill was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, noting that the legislation originated from the House of Representatives and is currently before the Senate as a concurrence bill in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
It stressed that the legislative process is still ongoing and urged stakeholders with concerns about the bill to present their views through the appropriate channels before its eventual passage.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and public engagement, the Senate said the proposed amendment is primarily aimed at strengthening road safety measures and protecting commuters across the country.