The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Basic Services (CRIBS II) project will be implemented in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State.

The LGAs are Chikun, Kubau, Zaria and Giwa, where selected schools and health facilities would undergo climate-resilient renovations.

The UNICEF Education Officer, Kaduna Field Office, Bala Dada, stated this at the CRIBS II Project inception and stakeholder coordination meeting on Wednesday in Chikun.

Mr Dada said the project was designed to make health and education infrastructure more resilient to climate-related challenges.

He said stakeholders gathered to understand the project’s objectives, implementation timelines and planned interventions in selected facilities.

According to him, the project focuses on strengthening basic services in the health and education sectors.

Mr Dada added that the discussions centred on the scope of work and strategies for addressing anticipated implementation challenges.

He described the engagement as robust, with stakeholders seeking clarification on key aspects of the intervention.

The education officer said participants included health officials, education authorities, community leaders, WASHCOM members, contractors and local government representatives.

He explained that the project was funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by UNICEF.

According to him, the intervention aims to ensure schools and health facilities can better withstand flooding, heat, wind and other climate-related threats.

He added that the facilities would also become safer and more conducive for learning and healthcare delivery.

Mr Dada said the project would provide a model for climate-resilient construction and renovation of public facilities across the state.

Also speaking, Chikun Local Government Health Secretary, Dr Bossan Bitrus, described the project as a welcome development for residents.

Mr Bitrus said two health facilities and two primary schools had been selected for renovation in Chikun LGA.

He identified the health facilities as Health Clinic Buwaya in Kakau and Health Clinic Yelwa in Ungwan Yelwa.

According to him, renovation works would include roofing, painting, replacement of doors and installation of environmentally friendly infrastructure.

Mr Bitrus said the project would improve learning conditions for pupils and create a better environment for healthcare workers and patients.

He explained that the contractors assured stakeholders that the project would be completed within five months.

The health secretary explained that renovation activities would be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to services.

He appealed to community members to support the project and cooperate with contractors during implementation.

Mr Bitrus also stressed the need for proper documentation of government property removed during renovation exercises.

He said accountability remained important, adding that all replaced items should be properly recorded.

On sustainability, Bitrus said local authorities would continue to prioritise maintenance of public facilities through annual budget provisions.

Earlier, Chikun Local Government Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator, Florence Manshop, commended UNICEF for selecting Kaduna as one of the beneficiary states.

Ms Manshop said the project would promote community ownership and stakeholder participation from implementation to completion.

She expressed optimism that the intervention would deliver durable infrastructure and improve the wellbeing of residents in beneficiary communities. (NAN)