Doha, 25 May 2008 – At a ceremony at Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Mohannadi, General Manager of the Qatar Electricity and Water Company, acting on behalf of Qatar’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, officially opened Pearl Village, the accommodation complex for the Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) project. Also witnessing this important milestone was Ms. Linda Cook, Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell, and a number of ambassadors from the home countries of the Pearl GTL workforce. |
The newly built 170-hectare complex accommodates contractors and more than 35,000 workers for the Pearl GTL project. Pearl Village is designed to meet rigorous standards for sanitation, health, safety, catering, recreation, IT, worship, financial services and commerce for a housing development of this nature. At the heart of Pearl Village is the Al Muntazah Recreation Area, which includes extensive sport facilities, a safety-training centre, an outdoor cinema, and a park. The purpose of this facility goes beyond providing adequate accommodation to the large numbers of contractors and workers on this project. Pearl Village focuses on human wellbeing by creating a living environment of a proper town and provides its inhabitants with a setting that is conducive to true community formation. The village has a mayor, as well as a dedicated welfare team who are responsible for the workers’ welfare, cultural festivals and will act as the community’s advocates. The workers on Pearl GTL represent a global community, with residents from more than 40 countries. There are currently close to 25,000 workers on-site and the numbers will peak at more than 35,000 by around the end of this year. His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar commented, “I am pleased with the opening of such an impressive living facility that focuses on the well being of all those individuals in Ras Laffan that will help us deliver this world-scale GTL project. Pearl Village is a model development that exemplifies the commitment from Qatar Petroleum and Shell to workers welfare and will no doubt contribute significantly to sustaining the level of productivity and teamwork that is required to build Pearl GTL.” Ms. Linda Cook, Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell added, “Pearl Village epitomises our responsibility to provide the workers and contractors on Pearl GTL with a quality living environment. The welfare of our construction workers is a top priority for Shell and the Pearl GTL project. I am convinced that this unique “village” complex will greatly help us to consolidate the community of motivated and focused workers and contractors that we require to deliver the Pearl GTL project safely.” |
