Bauchi, UNICEF Flag-off UK-Funded CRIBS Project to Prevent Climate Negative Impacts on Schools, Health Centres

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

The Bauchi State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with funding from the UK Government has officially launched the Climate Resilience Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) project to prevent climate negative impacts on schools and hospitals in the state.

CRIBS is being supported by the United Kingdom International Development in Enugu, Bauchi, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina and Gombe where infrastructure will be built, rebuilt and maintained to prevent climate negative impacts on schools and hospitals. The project spans through July 2025 and December 2026.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Government House Banquet Hall on Monday, Governor Bala Mohammed emphasized that the project aligns with, “My Bauchi Plan” strategic vision which complements interventions in the health and education sectors of the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Auwal Jatau, the governor noted the upgrades would provide a conducive environment for learning and healthcare while mitigating the harsh effects of climate change.

Governor Bala Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Abuja Declaration, pledging to allocate at least 15% of the state budget to healthcare and ensuring all counterpart funding obligations are met.

He said that human beings must either change the environment to suit their needs or adjust to the environment to promote their well-being.

His words: “The project is visible and directly works in line with a range of government and development partners collaboration, state and non-state actors, to develop the climate resilience infrastructure for basic services program.

 “And that implementation framework, the project which is being rolled out by UNICEF has targeted the upgrade of 15 primary healthcare centers and Nine primary schools in five local government areas of our dear distinguished state.

 “The renovation and upgrade of these facilities will go a long way in not just providing a conducive atmosphere for our children to learn and for our healthcare workers to provide quality healthcare service, but will mitigate the negative impact of climate change.

“As always, they said, human beings are endowed with the ability to either change the environment to suit their own needs or we adjust to the needs of the environment to promote our own needs. I must add, this knowledge in benefit of our strategic partnership with UNICEF, among other global partners.

 “UNICEF has continued to support the policies of government in areas of healthcare services. delivery, primary education, adolescents and reproductive health, water and sanitation. Let me also give assurance that the system under my leadership will remain committed to the Abuja Declaration by allocating 15% and above of the total state budget allocation to the health care sector.

“I further pledge that we will continue to give similar attention to the education sector in our budget. I also wish to reiterate my commitment to fulfilling all government obligations and payment of counterparts, including primary health care memorandum of understanding (MoU) contributions and non-MOU counterpart funds.

“Within the last one year alone, our partnership with the UN system and other development partners have led to the successful contribution of over N1,854,000,000 to the basket in counterpart funds and commitments in various projects and interventions aimed at strengthening the primary health care system.”

In her remarks, the Chief of Field, Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, stated that UNICEF is always working for the safety of children, their well-being and providing them with the best potentials to grow into better individuals who can contribute towards the development of the society.

“This is a very important day for every one of us because you all know that CRIBS means Climate Resilience Infrastructure for Basic Services.

“We all know that already there are thousands of people who cannot reach the health facility and cannot stay there. There are thousands and thousands of children who are out of school. And there are hundreds of health facilities and schools which don’t have water. Water is a must for children. Proper sanitation is even more important for their health.

“So, if all these things are not there, we would never be able to raise our children in well-protected environment. So CRIBS is a dream for us that all our health facilities, all our schools have WASH, sanitation and structured in a way, they are built in a way that our children can stay safe. Our mothers can give birth to the children in a safe environment. Our newborns are safe in any space of climate change.

“The change is coming and we need to be prepared. So I always say that our traditional leaders, our journalists, our community leaders, they are the backbone of society. They are the lifeline for our children.

“So please, I would request you today, which is a very important day when UNICEF with the support from British Government, especially Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, which we call FCDO, with support of that office, under the leadership of state government of Bauchi, who has always been, has shown very dynamic leadership for the well-being of their children,” she said.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, stated that the project aims at providing a conducive climate resilient environment for the provision of high quality maternal and child health services in line with global best practices and in accordance with the strategic vision and mission of Governor Bala Mohammed as contained in the “My Bauchi Plan.”

He commended UNICEF for continuously partnering with the state government to bring the project and many more other interventions into reality.

“Your contributions have been instrumental in shaping the healthcare landscape, and we are proud of the progress we have made so far in repositioning Bauchi State health care,” he said

During the flag-off, contract agreements were signed by the various contractors after which the sites were formally handed over to them.