Member of Parliament Mohammed bin Al Shaikh Abdullah Al Abbas, who led a delegation representing the people of Sitra to Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), lauded the continuous communication between the company and the neighbouring community and said its various community projects were a boon for the local people. "The entire group and I are very pleased and impressed with this support and with GPIC's stress on the protection of the environment," he said. "We're also very appreciative of the concern shown by management with the areas of safety, environmental protection and development of its elements in the sea, air and soil." Al Abbas said the people of the Sitra vicinity were very proud of the high percentage of Bahrainisation achieved by GPIC and of the highly trained Bahrainis working in its various sections. The MP lauded the high levels of operational efficiency and smooth operations and the great concern shown by the company with all aspects of staff safety, health and protection of the environment around the company site. He said GPIC winning the coveted 2003 RSPA Chemical Industry Safety Trophy for the safest-managed petrochemical plant in the world was a fitting tribute to its safety record. Earlier, welcoming the group, company general manager Dr Mustafa Al Sayed reiterated the company's commitment to continuous co-operation with private organisations and to serve the community through various charitable projects. The MP said that the company management had been encouraged by the visit. "This is part of the continuous communication between management and members of society." Dr Al Sayed reiterated the company's commitment to community service through various charitable projects targeting needy people. "This is in addition to educational programmes and lectures for school pupils which are now in their third year." The GPIC general Manager underlined the company's commitment to protection of the environment. "The success of GPIC in receiving the highest local, regional and international awards is only evidence of the compliance of its operations with demanding environmental standards and given the strict criteria applied by such awards." Dr Al Sayed said the company was not satisfied with mere compliance with such standards but adopted, at the same time, its own schemes designed to develop the local environment such as the fish farm, the bird sanctuary, the green oasis and charity vegetable farm. He said he hoped such meetings and visits would continue for the benefit of the community and for the continuous growth of the Kingdom. The visiting delegation later attended a lecture about innovation and its role in motivating staff and enhancing an organisation's performance. They also toured the ammonia, methanol and urea plants and were briefed on safety and environment systems. P.I.N//Bhrain Tribune