Water shortage: Firm drills boreholes for Gujeni community after Daily Trust investigation

The African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) has dug solar-powered boreholes to its host communities in Gujeni, Kagarko Local Government of Kaduna State. The projects, delivered in Gujeni and Chakwama communities, include four solar-powered boreholes designed to provide potable water to settlements where access has remained a daily struggle. Weekend Trust had reported how […]

The African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) has dug solar-powered boreholes to its host communities in Gujeni, Kagarko Local Government of Kaduna State.

The projects, delivered in Gujeni and Chakwama communities, include four solar-powered boreholes designed to provide potable water to settlements where access has remained a daily struggle.

Weekend Trust had reported how the communities were neglected following vandalism of boreholes constructed by the company, with the stream they rely on contaminated.

Also, one of the communities, Marabaun Babu said the company did not extend its community project to them despite sitting in its opposite direction and feeling the negative impact of its operations.

Speaking during the commissioning, Director of the company, Professor John Ndanufa Akanya, said the intervention followed direct engagement with host communities and an assessment of urgent needs.

“We met with them to identify their priority needs,” he said. “They initially wanted a classroom, but I insisted that water must come first because survival depends on it.”

The District Head of Gujeni said the population relying on the borehole remains high, especially in Babu settlement where a large number of workers live.

“The queue is too much,” he said. “This community is very large, and many people depend on this water.”

He added that more facilities would be required.

“We are requesting another borehole to reduce the pressure on this one,” he said.

Group Mining Head of African Industries Group, Partha Ghosh, said the projects are part of obligations tied to mining operations and agreements with host communities.

“We are required to provide clean drinking water in the form of boreholes,” he said. “This borehole delivered to Gujeni B settlement uses solar technology to reduce operational costs and ensure steady supply.”

He added that long term sustainability would depend on community ownership.

“We expect the community to maintain these facilities and safeguard them,” he noted.

Women leader in Babu community, Fancy Dominic, said access to water has been a long standing challenge.

“We have suffered a lot looking for water,” she said. “Before now, we spent hours searching for drinking water.”

She said the new facility is already easing that burden.

“This will reduce our stress and the distance we walk,” she added. “But many people depend on this same point.”

Dr. Vivian, Director in the Mines Environment Compliance Department of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, said the intervention aligns with regulatory requirements under Nigeria’s mining framework.

“This reflects the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act,” she said. “It is about delivering real impact to host communities.”

Caleb Solomon Guruza, who represented the Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said access to potable water remains critical to public health.

“When you provide clean water, you are addressing major health risks,” he said, urging communities to take responsibility for maintenance.

His Royal Highness, Engr. James Bitrus Abwaminajeyi, the Pioneer Chief of Dnata Chiefdom in Kagarko Local Government Area, said committees must be established across the four communities to manage the boreholes.

He added that traditional leaders must take responsibility for sustaining the projects.

“They must fulfil their responsibilities or step aside,” he said, urging the company to sustain its interventions.

He noted that the communities still require more infrastructure.

“We still need roads, electricity and more water,” he added.

Chief Executive Officer of ANRML, Anand Dubey, said the company would continue to expand community focused interventions as operations grow.

“As the company grows, the community must also benefit,” he said.