Renaissance Africa Energy and the Bayelsa State Government on Thursday, June 5, 2025, commenced planting of 15,000 additional trees to remediate the Taylor Creek Forest Reserves in the state.
The 15,000 trees will be planted between June 5, 2025, and June 14, 2026, before the 2026 World Environment Day.
The effort is in addition to earlier 10,000 planted by the oil firm and the Bayelsa government.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Yenagoa, Dr Igo Weli, General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa, noted that the company remained committed to preservation of the rich biodiversity of the Niger Delta region where it operates.
Renaissance Africa in March acquired the onshore and shallow water assets previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Weli, who was represented by Mr. Hope Nuka, Corporate Relations Manager, said the tree planting project was part of the energy firm’s Gbarain Biodiversity Action Plan as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
“At Renaissance Africa Energy Company, we have a committment towards the improvement of the Bayelsa State environment and forestry because the state is an important stakeholder in our business operation.
“Our commitment remains to integrate biodiversity conservations into our business. So we have a cognate track record in the committment,” he said.
He recalled that the company had facilitated the training of 46 forest guards as well as the empowerment of more than 150 community members who hitherto depended on the forest reserves with alternative income opportunities.
He explained that the conservation projects are being implemented by two non-novernmental organisations, SHEDA and Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ebi Ben-Ololo, Bayelsa Commissioner of Environment, who alongside representatives of Renaissance Africa Energy planted trees at the Taylor Creek Forest Reserves, commended the company for prioritising environmental conservation.
He noted that tree planting was fundamental to tackling the adverse impact of climate change and global warming.
Also speaking, Dr Usman Shitu, Climate Change Lead at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, commended Renaissance for embarking on the remediation project with the NCF.
He observed that oil exploration location and production activities are known to adversely affect the environment and said the project showed that Renaissance Africa Energy Company operates in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Students from Community Secondary School Yenagoa participated in the activities to celebrate the 2025 edition of World Environment Day.
By Nathan Nwakamma