Renaissance, Communities To Conserve Forest Reserves In Bayelsa

Renaissance Africa Energy Company and hosts to its South Swamp Gas Gathering Solution (SSGGS) project have commenced plans to conserve the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves in Bayelsa.
Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous firms in March acquired the onshore and shallow waters assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
At a stakeholders’ engagement on Friday in Yenagoa, Mr Charles Akhideno, Head, Biodiversity at Renaissance noted that the firm would develop a Diversity Action Plan for areas within five kilometres radius of the SSGGS project site near the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves.
He said that Renaissance prioritised care for the environment and engaged in conservation efforts to restore the environment where it operated.
According to him, the company was working with communities, environmental scientists, civil society organisations and Bayelsa government to develop plans to preserve endangered animal and plant species at the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves.
He noted that the environmental scientists who were conducting studies at the forest reserves will review species of monkeys, chimpanzees, vultures, parrots amongst other plants and animal species that are endangered for attention.
Mr. Ebi Ben-Ololo, Commissioner for Environment in Bayelsa regretted that oil and gas exploration had adversely affected and degraded the environment across Bayelsa with relics of pollution degrading ecosystem.
Ben-Ololo however commended the approach adopted by Renaissance Africa in prioritising environmental protection and conservation even before the commencement of the SSGGS project.
The traditional rulers, community development committee members, women and youth leaders deliberated on ways to halt human actions that put pressure on the forest resources and endanger the biodiversity of the forest reserve.
They resolved that alternative economic activities should be considered for those who depend solely on the forest resources in environmentally sustainable fields.