Chikun Set for Climate-Resilient Schools, Health Facilities as UNICEF Begins CRIBS II Implementation
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Plans are underway for the upgrade of selected schools and health facilities in Chikun Local Government Area as UNICEF and key stakeholders commenced implementation discussions for the Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Basic Services (CRIBS II) Project.
The project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is designed to strengthen health and education infrastructure against climate-related challenges such as flooding, extreme heat and strong winds while improving access to quality basic services.
At an inception meeting held in Chikun, government officials, education managers, health authorities, WASH stakeholders, contractors and community structures reviewed project timelines, implementation strategies and sustainability measures ahead of the commencement of renovation works.
Speaking during the meeting, UNICEF Education Officer, Bala Dada, said the project would support the renovation of schools and health facilities using climate-smart standards that can withstand harsh weather conditions and environmental pressures.
According to him, the intervention is being implemented across several states, with Kaduna selected as one of the beneficiaries. In the state, the pilot phase will cover four local government areas of Zaria, Kubau, Giwa and Chikun.
“The project is about making basic services more climate resilient, particularly health and education facilities. We want these facilities to be more resistant to flooding, heat, wind and other climate-related challenges while creating a better environment for learning and healthcare delivery,” Dada said.
He added that the project would serve as a demonstration model for climate-resilient construction and renovation of public infrastructure across Kaduna State.
Also speaking, the Health Secretary of Chikun Local Government Health Authority, Dr. Bossan Amos Bitrus, described the intervention as a significant boost to healthcare and education service delivery in the area.
He disclosed that two health facilities; Health Clinic Buwaya in Kakau and Health Clinic Yelwa in Ungwan Yelwa, alongside two primary schools, have been selected for renovation under the project.
Bitrus said the scope of work would include roofing, painting, replacement of doors and installation of environmentally friendly infrastructure designed to improve conditions in both schools and health facilities.
While welcoming the intervention, he called for greater involvement of local authorities in future project selection processes and stressed the need for proper accountability regarding government property removed during renovation.
The health secretary also assured that healthcare services would continue uninterrupted during implementation, noting that renovation activities would be carried out in phases to minimise disruption.
On sustainability, he said the local government would continue to prioritise maintenance of public facilities through its annual budgeting process, although funding constraints remain a challenge.
For her part, the WASH Coordinator of Chikun Local Government Area, Florence Manshop, said the engagement was aimed at ensuring that stakeholders take ownership of the project from inception to completion.
She noted that Chikun was privileged to be among the four pilot local government areas selected for the intervention and expressed confidence that the project would leave behind durable infrastructure capable of serving communities for years to come.
Manshop emphasised the importance of collaboration among government institutions, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders, stressing that collective ownership would be critical to the long-term success of the project.
The meeting ended with commitments from stakeholders to support the implementation process as preparations begin for work to commence on the selected facilities.
