Riffa Views receives Winning School’s Canvas

Um Salama Intermediate Girls School, the overall winner of the environmentally-focused Riffa Views Eden Challenge, presented Riffa Views with a hand-made canvas. The gift is a symbol of the school’s gratitude for the sincere collaboration and new bonds created throughout the Challenge.

School’s representatives, Principal Samiya Al Kooheji, Fine Arts teacher Mehnaz Bader and Head of the fourth educational division at the Ministry of Education Intermediate directorate, Fareeda Khalaf attended the presentation with Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views and Hugh O’Shea, Director of Sales & Marketing.

Mehnaz, who initiated the idea, explained how everything started when she saw a farm child picture on the web. “I was searching in the web when I saw a picture of a farm child. I really admired it and the idea of drawing it came straight to my mind. When I finished the drawing, the students also helped me with the flowers. It was a group work. I decided to use the oil paint because it lasts longer while the ceramic flowers give a better impression. We were motivated to do this painting because we strongly believe that Riffa Views’ officials appreciate creative arts,” Mehnaz said.

In addition, Richard Browning presented the school’s representatives with a cheque of BD 3,000 as a reward for being the overall winner of the Eden Challenge. Their project, which was a golden flamingo themed sculpture, was reproduced in life-size and displayed at the Eden Challenge Exhibits at the recent Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS 08).

The school was selected as an overall winner by Riffa Views’ Ambassador Landscape & Gardens, Chris Beardshaw and RVBIGS 08 organizing committee head Shaikha Maram bint Isa bin Ahmad Al Khalifa.

Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views congratulated the school on being the overall winner. “All judges agreed that Um Salama Intermediate Girls School entry was outstanding as it showed an advanced level of creativity and a well-developed sense of environmental awareness, which were the essence of the competition. We are positive that the Eden Challenge inspired the younger generation to engage and interact with their external environment and we trust more schools will join us in this year’s Challenge.

Representatives of the school expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to Riffa Views for their support and for organizing the environmental initiative which, they said, encouraged a huge number of students to learn, work hard and to be more creative and passionate. “We are all looking forward to participating in this year’s competition,” said Samiya Al Kooheji.

Riffa Views praises Building Contractors through difficult times

Today, CEO Richard Browning publicly praised all the contractors working at Riffa Views for their proactive efforts to complete the project on time, despite shortages in basic building materials.

Mr. Browning stated “As recorded in the press, materials and labour are in short supply throughout the region and delays are occurring on many projects throughout Bahrain. Sand and cement supplies coupled with the steel shortage are causing real concern. It is not only the sand and cement, but all cement based products such as cement blocks and ready-mix concrete that are affected; in fact the entire core of the building fabric”.

“And it is only getting worse as the development boom in Bahrain continues. Current shortages have a huge impact on prices, particularly as the costs of steel, sand and cement have all doubled in the last 12 months. As these costs filter through, the effects will be significant on new house prices in the future especially because of the fact that steel and cement based products make up 30% of a typical Villa cost”.

Chris Poullaides, Managing Director of Poullaides Construction Co. commented “Over and above the shortages, we also have to face additional delays due to the widespread lack of reliable transportation facilities for labour and materials. However it is gratifying that the positive steps we take are being recognized through these difficult times”.

Mr. Browning added that having entered into agreements with the Riffa Views contractors in 2006 and 2007; he has nothing but praise for their efforts to complete their works on time – and at the contract price.

“As some materials become available, our contractors have stockpiled building blocks and other products affected by the shortages, and sometimes even imported at significantly higher prices than they have allowed for. Where possible we have assisted our contractors with advance payments in order to pre-purchase steel etc at the best prices”.

“To further limit the knock-on effect, reprogramming of works continuously takes place in order to maximize the productivity of the labour forces during these shortages. The Villa contractors are GPZ Sembaweng, PCC, PCC Terna, Projects; School and amenity building contractors are Cyprus Roads and Building; and Infrastructure contractors are Cybarco-Tabet– who must all be praised for their proactive approach”.

Mr. Browning concluded “Despite all the challenges, our contractors remain on schedule to deliver Villas on time; and since Riffa Views is 90% sold out, these rising costs will not be passed on to our owners. Now is certainly the time to invest as rising costs will further increase the value of investment in property, not only here but throughout Bahrain”.

Riffa Views awards University Trainee

Management of Riffa Views awarded Bahraini Haya Yahya with an experience certificate for her successful completion of the Riffa Views’ Under-graduate Training Program. CEO of Riffa Views, Richard Browning along with Finance Director, Abdulhakim Abdulmalik presented Haya with her certificate.

Haya was selected to join the program which has a yearly spring intake and provides a structured overview of internal business practice. Throughout the two-month program, Riffa Views gave the University of Bahrain student the opportunity to learn about each department including Sales & Marketing, Administration, and Finance; and how each area plays an integral part in the company’s operations.

Commenting on the training scheme, CEO of Riffa Views Richard Browning said: “It is always an honour for us to provide university under-graduate students with interactive and practical training opportunities. We wish Haya all the best in her studies and we are proud of the valuable experiences she has gained over these two months.”

Haya, who is currently in the process of registering for her BSC, was selected to join Riffa Views Under-graduate Training Program for her hard working, enthusiastic and resilient attitude, combined with her positive outlook.

« Previous Page