Shell, Bayelsa Collaborate To Protect Taylor Creek Forest Reserve

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Bayelsa government are collaborating to conserve the biodiversity of Taylor Creek Forest Reserve in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
According to a press statement by Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, Shell’s Media Relations Manager, Shell and Bayelsa recently inaugurated the Gbaran Biodiversity Action Plan (Gbaran BAP).
Afam-Anadu said more than 150 people from Taylor Creek Forest Reserve communities have been trained in alternative livelihood skills to reduce exploitation of resources at the forest.
The trainees acquired skills in aquaculture, beekeeping, goat rearing, snail and cassava/plantain farming and grasscutter technology and were given packs to start their businesses.
Quoting Igo Weli, SPDC Director and Head, Corporate Relations, the statement said, “SPDC is well placed to contribute to the protection of Taylor Creek Forest reserve having successfully implemented similar programmes at Gele-Gele and Urhonigbe forest reserves in Edo State.”
Mr. Amechi Ucheomavl, the Corporate Relations Manager, West of Shell stated that with the support of Shell’s joint venture partners – NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, it has decided to embark on the latest biodiversity action plan to continue to support the government and people of Bayelsa State.
“This is to maintain the balance of nature at Taylor Creek,” Ucheomazvl, who represented Weli said.
Ebi Ben-Ololo, Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment, commended SPDC Joint Venture for its commitment to the action plan, saying the government was interested in the success of the project and would to provide needed support. “Strict laws would be enforced against illegal logging and this discipline will provide sanity on the environment, the earth, and Bayelsa State with sustainability.”
He advised the trainees against selling their starter packs, adding, “Together, let us forge ahead with determination and resolve, united in our mission to protect and nurture the rich biodiversity of our land.
“May our collective efforts yield fruitful results and serve as a beacon of hope for a greener and more sustainable future.”
SPDC Joint Venture commenced the Gbaran Ubie Biodiversity Action Plan in 2016. The plan took off with consultations involving community representatives, regulatory agencies, subject matter experts and Non-Governmental Ogranizations (NGOs).
Implementation of the plan took off in 2019 and included training of forest guards and nominees from Okordia and Biseni clans on alternative livelihoods skills and planting of trees.
The implementation strategy was revised in 2023 as Gbaran BAP Expansion, which saw a refresher programme for the 151 trainees to sustain the reforestation initiative.
Biodiversity Action Plans are based on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity aimed at protecting and restoring biological systems, especially threatened species and habitats.
SPDC has been working closely with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect areas such as nature reserves, wilderness areas and habitats for certain species in the Niger Delta.