The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Friday said it had deployed 1,000 of its workers to clear the waterways of Water Hyacinth and other debris obstructing water transportation.

The Managing Director, Mr Ola Oresanya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the clearance also included boats and ships wreckages and refuse on the waterways.

“As part of our mandate, LAWMA has deployed 1,000 members of its workforce to clean up refuse and debris upsetting business activities on waterways.

“Apart from the widely known water hyacinths, refuse, boats and ships wreckages are the other factors militating against water transportation business in the state,’’ he said.

He said that LAWMA had brought in some machines to clean up water hyacinth, wreckages, refuse and debris disturbing water business activities.

“The machines will fast track the cleaning up of refuse dump on the waterways. It will also make the work lesser for the workers operating on the waterways,” he said.

Oresanya noted that though LAWMA had done enough in clearing the waterways of debris, getting all inland water area of Lagos State was a mandate to be achieved,’’ he said.

According to him, the blockages have greatly affected tourism activities in the state and that the clearance is to make the waterways attractive for investors and tourists.

“Lagos State has enormous inland waterways opportunity that can be utilised to earn huge revenue.

Oresanya said that Lagos city was surrounded by water; therefore, there was the need to utilise the opportunity in it to increase its economy.