The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC Joint Venture) and the Bayelsa State Government have launched the Gbaran Biodiversity Action Plan (Gbaran BAP) to protect the Taylor Creek Forest Reserve.
As part of the initiative, over 150 community members have been trained in alternative livelihood skills to reduce reliance on the forest’s resources. The participants acquired skills in aquaculture, beekeeping, goat rearing, snail farming, cassava and plantain cultivation, and grasscutter rearing. To support their transition, they received starter packs to help establish their businesses.
SPDC’s Director and Head of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, emphasized the company’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. In a speech delivered in Yenagoa by Corporate Relations Manager (West), Amechi Ucheoma, he stated:
“SPDC is well-positioned to contribute to the protection of Taylor Creek Forest Reserve, having successfully implemented similar programs in Gele-Gele and Urhonigbe Forest Reserves in Edo State. With the support of our joint venture partners—NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company—we have embarked on this latest biodiversity action plan to help preserve the ecological balance of Taylor Creek.”
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, commended SPDC Joint Venture for its commitment to environmental conservation. He assured that the state government would provide full support for the project.
He said, “Strict laws will be enforced against illegal logging to protect the environment and promote sustainability. I urge the trainees not to sell their starter packs but to use them effectively. Together, let us remain steadfast in our mission to protect and nurture the rich biodiversity of our land, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future.”
The Gbaran Ubie Biodiversity Action Plan was initiated in 2016 following consultations with community representatives, regulatory agencies, experts, and NGOs. Implementation began in 2019 and included the training of forest guards and community nominees from the Okordia and Biseni clans on sustainable livelihood practices, as well as tree planting efforts. In 2023, the strategy was expanded under the Gbaran BAP Expansion, introducing refresher training for 151 beneficiaries to reinforce the reforestation initiative.
Biodiversity Action Plans are aligned with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, with the goal of protecting and restoring ecosystems, particularly threatened species and habitats. SPDC continues to collaborate with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to safeguard vital areas in the Niger Delta, including nature reserves, wilderness zones, and critical species habitats.