By Gabriel Ewepu 

ABUJA – THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has hailed a mining giant, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, ANRML, for carrying out community development projects and the recent provision of clean drinking water to host communities – Gujeni and Chakwama in Kargarko Local Government of Kaduna State.

Alake, who was represented by the Director, Mines Environmental Compliance, MEC, Department, Dr Vivian Okono, while commissioning the projects in Gujeni Community, commended the Company for playing a vital role as a responsible corporate entity by keeping to statutory environmental and social obligations, where the host communities also feel the positive impact of its operations.

African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, ANRML, provided solar-powered borewells.

He said: “By investing in solar power technology borewells, this initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach that embraces sustainability, reduces environmental impact, and ensures long-term functionality. 

“I wish to commend African Natural Resources and Mines Limited for fulfilling this important obligation under the Community Development Agreement (CDA, framework.”

He continued, “When communities and companies operate and work together, the outcomes are always more impactful and sustainable. This event is not just about commissioning infrastructure; it is about building trust, strengthening partnerships, and advancing sustainable development in Nigeria’s mining sector.”

Meanwhile, the Minister charged the benefiting host communities, “To the good people of Gujeni and Chakwama communities, this project belongs to you.

“May this project stand as a testament to what we can achieve when we work together and with a shared vision of progress.”

In his remarks, the Group Mining Head, African Industries Group and representative of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Partha Ghosh, stated that the communities were provided with the modernised solar-powered borewell for a healthy source of drinking water.

“Under that agreement, we promised to provide clean drinking water by providing borewells to the Gujeni community and to the Chakwama communities.

“The solar borewells will reduce the operational cost and also provide clean and safe drinking water, and we urge and request the good people of Gujeni to maintain these borewells and use them for the purpose that it is meant for. And we also would like to thank you for your cooperation and the assistance you have been providing for the growth and success of our company.

“We are happy for these encouraging words we have heard from you at this event, and it gives us inspiration. We are not just mindful of our business. 

“We want to ensure that our host community has some basic facilities like good drinking water. We will do more soon. 

‘I want to encourage continued collaboration between the community and the company to ensure peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit”, Ghosh added.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, ANRML, Mr Anand Dubey, called for continued cooperation and support of host communities, especially in safeguarding the shared projects. 

“We are deeply grateful for the strong relationship we have built together, and for the ongoing collaboration we enjoy. We encourage the good people of Gujeni and Chakwama communities to take full ownership of these projects by maintaining them properly, using them responsibly, and protecting them for the benefit of future generations.”

The Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Kaduna State, who was represented by Head, Kaduna Mining Company, Caleb Solomon Yunusa, while commending the company, said provision of water is key in every community, “So, when you provide good portable water to communities, you are enabling the community to live healthily.”

Speaking on the decision behind the project, a Director in ANRML, Prof John Akanya, explained that it was part of the company’s Community Development Agreement, CDA, with the host community.

“We met with the community to discuss their priority needs. We also discovered they were drinking water from the stream, which is not healthy. So, we agreed to give them borewells. 

“This time, solar-powered borewells. We encourage them to maintain these inventories and ensure they keep the taps running. Soon, we will look at the Community Development Agreement to see another project that is of priority.

“We respectfully seek the continued cooperation and support of our host communities in safeguarding these shared projects”, Akanya added.

The Kargarko Local Government Chairman, Hon Muyideen Abdullahi, who was represented by the Secretary of the Local Government, Hon Musa Zakwai, noted that water provision to communities is also the Council’s responsibility, but commended ANRML’s development initiative by providing the borewells to the host communities.

His Royal Highness, the pioneer Chief of Dnata kingdom, Kagarko Local Government, Kaduna State, Engr James Bitrus, while appreciating the company’s commitment and effort, called for a committee in the four communities to protect the water facility, and warned that if the borewells stop functioning, the district heads would be held responsible. However, requested more roads, electricity and water projects.

The Chairman of the Stakeholders Committee, Chakwama Community, Prof. Mathew Sunday Dada, said the joy of the people of the community knows no bounds as they are provided with two borewells, one to serve Angwan Gora and the other Angwan Chelupe in Chakwama community.

 “We are glad that what was put on paper as part of the Community Development Agreement is being implemented today”, Dada said.