By Abbas Nazil
Renaissance Africa Energy Company, in partnership with local host communities in Bayelsa State, has initiated plans to conserve the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves, one of the ecologically sensitive areas near its South Swamp Gas Gathering Solution (SSGGS) project.
This collaborative conservation effort was formally launched during a stakeholders’ engagement session held in Yenagoa on Friday, July 11, 2025. The initiative marks a significant step towards integrating environmental preservation with energy development in the Niger Delta.
Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous Nigerian companies, acquired the onshore and shallow water assets previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) earlier this year.
The company’s renewed focus on biodiversity and sustainable environmental management is central to its operations in the region.
Mr. Charles Akhideno, Head of Biodiversity at Renaissance, explained that the meeting aimed to develop a Diversity Action Plan for a five-kilometre radius surrounding the SSGGS project site, which lies adjacent to the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves.
Akhideno emphasized that Renaissance is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and intends to collaborate with stakeholders—including local communities, environmental scientists, civil society organisations, and the Bayelsa State Government—to conserve the forest’s unique biodiversity.
As part of the initiative, scientific assessments are already underway to identify and monitor endangered species of animals and plants, including monkeys, chimpanzees, vultures, and parrots, with a view to prioritizing their protection.
Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ebi Ben-Ololo, expressed concern over the historical damage inflicted by decades of oil and gas exploration across the state.
He noted that pollution and environmental degradation have severely impacted the region’s ecosystems.
However, he praised Renaissance Africa’s proactive approach in addressing environmental challenges even before the full commencement of its gas project.
Traditional rulers, members of community development committees, women and youth leaders actively participated in the stakeholder dialogue.
They discussed practical ways to reduce human activities that threaten the integrity of the forest and its biodiversity.
The consensus reached was that it is essential to identify and support alternative, environmentally sustainable livelihoods for individuals and households who rely heavily on forest resources for their survival.
Participants agreed that economic diversification in harmony with ecological conservation will be key to reducing pressure on the forest while fostering local development.
This initiative by Renaissance Africa and the Bayelsa communities signals a growing recognition of the need to balance development with environmental responsibility, particularly in regions vulnerable to ecological degradation from industrial activities.
