Senate says ban on preaching, hawking in buses is not new
The Senate has clarified that the ban on preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles has been part of Nigerian law for years. This follows public criticism after news of a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps Act. According to the Senate, these offences have existed since the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007. Opeyemi Bamidele and the Senate emphasized that the current amendment only renumbers the provision and proposes stiffer penalties.
What we know
- The Senate stated that preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles have been offences under Nigerian law since the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007.
- The provision was originally listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act and is now renumbered as Item 49 in the proposed amendment.
- The Senate clarified that the legislation does not ban public or street preaching, only preaching inside commercial vehicles.
- Opeyemi Bamidele is not the sponsor of the bill; it originated from the House of Representatives and requires Senate concurrence.
- The amendment process is ongoing, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate before it is finalized.
