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He added, “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made available not only all their technical and ministerial resources, but the private sector resources and financing.”

Guyana is already benefitting from two major loan agreements totaling US$150 million from Saudi Arabia. The funds have been set aside for Infrastructure development in the housing sector and the construction of the Wismar bridge.

According to the President, Saudi Arabia has committed to creating a special window by giving some preferences for those in the region who wants to go to perform the hajj.

“Beyond infrastructure, beyond food and energy, there were deep discussions on how we strengthen our cultural exchange. How we support the development of tourism, how we get the private sector to invest in the region and here in Guyana and I am confident that in the coming weeks, we will see tremendous energy in relation to this new strategic relationship,” the Head of State noted.

Further, President Ali said that the Saudi Arabia Minister of State has committed to attending the next CARICOM heads of government meeting in Guyana.

“The summit will be bi-annual and we are working out the mechanism that will support the evolution of this relationship, including the possibility of an annual foreign ministers meeting. As we continue to expand our diplomatic, political and economic reach, I believe that great opportunity and possibility will come our way,” President Ali said.

“As a local company, we believe it is necessary to support the development in our country. As such, we at Paragon Energy are proud to be the only company in Guyana offering custom-built trucks from our supplier in China with a three chassis system, extra springs at the front and back, inch and a half steel body, custom seats and specially-tuned engines,” Paragon Energy’s Business Development Manager Alexander DeFreitas said.

The units are also 100% manual so there are no fault codes or equipment failures expected. The custom-built trucks do not have other issues faced by the other trucks in the market including computer box failures. The trucks were recently launched at Movietowne, Turkeyen, Georgetown.

Further, DeFreitas highlighted, “We are so confident in our product and the performance of our equipment that we offer a one-year warranty programme, bumper to bumper. Within that period, if anything fails, we replace it immediately.”

That level of service and commitment features prominently for all other products offered by Paragon Energy. Those products include: lubricants, tires and equipment.

For lubricants, Paragon Energy represents and distributes Arabian Petroleum-Arizol and AMCO’s product line. These lubricants are for diesel lubricant lines and work with engines, transmissions, gearboxes and hydraulic systems. That means Paragon Energy offered lubricants for every application in the mining, transportation and marine sectors. They also offer lubricants for gasoline applications in their Atlantic and Shell lines. Paragon Energy’s tire lines are of the Annarite brand, and come with a one year or one million miles warranty, another show of confidence in their products by the company.

The tried-and-tested products are backed by Paragon Energy’s incomparable commitment to exceptional service. The team is readily available, 24 hours daily, to produce rapid support as necessary. If a client’s equipment needs servicing at 10PM on a Sunday night, the services required will be offered.

Looking ahead, Paragon Energy wants to do more to support the growth of Guyana. Resultantly, the company is hoping to establish a truck assembly factory right in Guyana. That venture will benefit significantly from the government’s plans to lower the cost of energy by 50% through the forthcoming Wales gas-to-energy project; and will provide an opportunity for the building of local skills and capacities and broaden opportunities in the job market.

DeFreitas noted that Paragon Energy is currently engaged in robust negotiations with its partners in China to bring a test sample of trucks to be built from chassis to a complete working unit here to Guyana.

Through this venture, Chinese engineers and other technical specialists will be in Guyana to train Guyanese. This is important because Paragon Energy believes in transferring skills and knowledge to Guyanese.

About Paragon Energy

Paragon Energy is a 100% family-owned, first-generation company that was founded in 2021. The company is focused on providing quality lubricants, commercial tires and equipment that are best-suited to the Guyana market. As its name, Paragon, suggests, the company focuses on offering excellent products and services. Paragon Energy also leverages the experiences of its sister company, Paramount Group Guyana, which has been active in the logging and transportation sector for over 15 years.

Paragon Energy is located at 27 Albert Street, Georgetown. Company representatives can be contacted on: 223-2956 (office number) and 707-1525 (24/7 Duty Number on WhatsApp). (Paragon Energy press release)

Speaking to the News Room, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud said the initiative which was launched three years ago has proven to be impactful, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the goal, she said is to ensure it continues.

“Engage is exactly what we want to do. Engagement and let them understand that when the Ministry of Human Services reaches out about empowerment, it’s not only about women. It’s about tackling the issues men face, having the frank conversation and looking at how we can engage men on the necessary conversations on social issues like gender-based violence, sexual offences, children, family and their own selves,” Dr Persaud explained.

Since the launch, Dr Persaud said the Ministry has been engaging men in all the regions, developing men’s groups and working with them on areas such as anger management, conflict resolution and mental health and well-being.

“This kind of interface with men will continue in 2024 and we always through International Men’s Day see the opportunity to have a more edutainment type event,” Dr Persaud said.

She added, “…This type of event across the country to really put men at ease and help them understand it’s okay to be vulnerable, share, deal with emotions, have issues and there are people who are there to support you.”

At the event, men of various diversity, ages and professions gathered together to participate in the activities.

They shared their thoughts on topical issues men are faced with on a daily basis and how they would respond.

“I believe we as men need to understand how to deal with our emotions and seek help. Also…these women, we should know how to value them and treat then. If you feel that relationship is not for you walk out because at the end of the day, we are losing our sisters, daughters, mother by men who feel entitled. It is your duty as a man to speak up, seek help and break that generational curse,” Delroy Mark, one of the participants shared.

He believes that people should rely on official channels of communication and trust that the information received and being disseminated is “of exceptional standard.”

The President did, however, agree that a more robust communications strategy is needed to quell people’s concerns and provide factual information. He said the government will work alongside members of the local media corps to execute this strategy.

Responding directly to reports of residents in border communities being urged to move away, the President said that should not be the case. In fact, he sought to assure people that the government is taking all steps needed to guarantee Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“There is absolutely no reason to move from anywhere.

“That is the type of fear-mongering that people are pushing on social media but there is absolutely no reason (to move) and the Guyana Defence Force is working very steadily and as I said before I am confident in their ability, the work they are doing and the type of discussions we are having with our partners,” the Head of State said.

“The matter is properly before the court so it is not up for negotiations and discussions,” he said.

Bilateral talks, in the past, have failed to bring a resolution to the Guyana/ Venezuela controversy.

After decades of negotiations failed to bring a resolution to the border controversy, the United Nations Secretary-General referred the controversy to the World Court and Guyana filed its case in March 2018 to obtain a full and final settlement.

The provision for the UN Secretary-General to determine the means to permanently settle the border controversy is provided for in the Geneva Agreement. This agreement was signed by then Prime Minister of Guyana Forbes Burnham and Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignacio Borges in 1966 shortly after Venezuela first raised an objection to the 1899 arbitral award that settled the boundaries of Guyana.

Because of that, the controversy was referred to the ICJ.

Venezuela accepted that award and participated in the marking of the boundary line, accepting Guyana’s land area as legal, doing so for six decades until it raised an objection to the arbitral award on the eve of Guyana’s independence from Great Britain.