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

The Senate has clarified that the prohibition of preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles is not a newly introduced measure but has been part of Nigerian law since 2007. This clarification comes amid public outcry following reports that the Senate passed an amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, which includes a fine of N50,000 for such activities. According to a statement released by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, the provision has long been embedded in the existing legal framework. The controversy emerged after PUNCH Online published an article on July 17 reporting that the Senate had approved the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill, which was initially proposed by the House of Representatives, aims to enhance road safety measures by introducing stricter penalties for various offenses. Among these, the inclusion of a fine for preaching and hawking within commercial vehicles sparked significant debate. The Senate's response sought to reassure the public that these provisions were not new but rather longstanding elements of the legal code. Section 10(4) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, both explicitly address the issue of preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles. These regulations have been in effect since 2007, with the specific offense being listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act. During the recent amendment process, the item was renumbered as Item 49, reflecting changes made during the revision. The Senate emphasized that this renumbering does not constitute a new rule but merely a reorganization of existing provisions. The Senate further clarified that the proposed amendment does not outlaw public or street preaching, as some social media posts suggested. Instead, the focus is on ensuring the safety of commuters and other road users. The statement reiterated that the legislation is not aimed at suppressing religious activities in public spaces but at maintaining order on the roads. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, was specifically distanced from the bill. He confirmed that the legislation was not his initiative but rather a concurrence bill first introduced by the House of Representatives. Under the 1999 Constitution, such bills require approval from both chambers before they can take effect. The Senate highlighted that the amendment process is still ongoing and urged stakeholders to engage constructively with the legislative process prior to its finalization. In addition to addressing the preaching and hawking clause, the proposed amendment introduces harsher penalties for several other traffic offenses. For instance, the fine for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances would increase from N5,000 to N100,000. Reckless driving and exceeding speed limits would also carry fines of up to N100,000, with certain violations potentially leading to imprisonment. These measures reflect the government's broader effort to improve road safety across the country.