Lagos State Government says it will inject sixty-five new buses on Lagos roads from today to cushion the effect of the ban on okada and tricycles riders.

According to government, no less than five hundred and fifty more buses were being expected, besides, fourteen ferries would be commissioned on tuesday to further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, hailed motorcycle and tricycle operators for complying with the restriction from six local government areas, major highways and bridges.

Omotoso said government was not unaware that enforcing the directive might lead to some job losses, saying Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, planned to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order.

He warned all those who were planning to unleash violence on the state because of the ongoing enforcement to have a change of heart.

Omotoso said government was not unaware that enforcing this directive might lead to some job losses, saying that the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, planned to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order, besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others.

“The government hereby warns all those who are planning to unleash violence on the state because of the ongoing enforcement to have a change of heart.

Lagosians are peace loving and law abiding people, who will not embrace any disruption of their legal activities by failed politicians hiding under the evil of unwholesome activism.

The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands.

The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians. It will not fail to act when peace is threatened,” he said.

Commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada riders have started leaving Lagos, as enforcement of ban on motorcycle and tricycle operations in major areas of the state took effect on Saturday.

Many okada riders have already surrendered to the enforcement by relocating from Lagos with their motorcycles.

The state government had proscribed the operations of okada and tricycle riders in Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA.

Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDA, Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

The ban covered 2,000 routes, including major roads, expressways and bridges.

Meanwhile, stranded commuters around the state have expressed discomfort caused by the ban which affects six local governments and nine local council development areas of the state.

People were seen at different bus stops along the route, waiting impatiently for buses, many of which had already been filled up from the take-off point in Ojodu-Berger.

Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, described the compliance level as “fantastic,” adding that his team went to many areas, including Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Ajah.

“The riders complied even though there were pockets of disobedience. We just started today (Saturday). We will not relent. We arrested seven tricycles and three motorcycles but some police divisions would still bring (seized motorcycles and tricycles) to our office.”