The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC Joint Venture) and the Bayelsa State government have inaugurated the Gbaran Biodiversity Action Plan (Gbaran BAP), in which 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, bee keeping, goat rearing, snail and cassava/plantain farming as well as grasscutter technology with each participants getting starter packs to kick start their businesses.

SPDC Director and Head, Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, 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,”

Weli, represented by the Corporate Relations Manager West, Amechi Ucheoma said: “With the support of our joint venture partners – NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company – we have decided to embark on the latest biodiversity action plan to continue to support the government and people of Bayelsa State to maintain the balance of nature at Taylor Creek.”

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo commended SPDC Joint Venture for its commitment to the action plan.

He said: “The state government is interested in the success of the project and is ready to provide support. Strict laws would be enforced against illegal logging which will provide sanity on the environment, the earth, and Bayelsa State with sustainability.”

He warned the trainees against selling their starter packs.