MUSCAT -- Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company LLC (ORPC) kicked off its tree plantation drive in support of the 'Mission Green Earth' initiative whose goal is to plant 100 million trees across the world. The worldwide initiative, launched by the Millennium Campaign and the Art of Living Foundation, also aims to mobilise a 100 million people, who will 'Stand Up Take Action' across the globe between October 17-19, 2008 and renew their commitment towards the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
A large number of ORPC staff joined senior management representatives in the planting of a number of saplings around the company's Mina Al Fahal (MAF) complex yesterday. Speaking to the Observer, Masoud al Msalmy, General Manager Corporate Support, said ORPC was the first corporate organisation in the Sultanate to support the global 'Mission Green Earth' initiative.
"This campaign is a reflection of ORPC's corporate social responsibility, as well as our moral obligation to preserve our planet for the sake of future generations. As part of our support for this initiative, we have undertaken to plant 3,000 saplings, starting with our Mina Al Fahal complex yesterday, and our Sohar site today." While roughly half of the saplings covered by ORPC's commitment towards the Mission Green Earth project will be planted at its MAF and Sohar sites, the rest will be distributed among employees, said Al Msalmy.
"In supporting this campaign, ORPC is also seeking to build awareness among employees about the importance of tree-planting in conserving our planet. When the employees take saplings to be planted at home or in their surroundings, they spread awareness of the underlying environmental issues concerned among their family, neighbours and friends, and thereby further extend the scope of this campaign," Al Msalmy said.
At Sohar, ORPC has organised a high-profile ceremony to demonstrate its commitment to the environment. Top officials will join local dignitaries in creating a parkland of trees in Liwa, which will be named after ORPC for a period of three years, said Al Msalmy, who chairs a special committee to oversee the company's execution of the tree-planting drive.
Salem al Rubkhi, ORPC's Manager - Information & Public Relations, said the tree-planting campaign stemmed from the company's overall responsibility towards the environment. "ORPC believes it has a sacred and moral responsibility towards the environment, and will exert every effort towards the success of the tree-planting drive. We are grateful to all our Mina al Fahal employees for their whole-hearted support for the initiative," Al Rubkhi said.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
