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Karia J. Christopher In! Dr Arliene T. Penn Out! As Communications Director!

- Two senior officers are part of a civil service rotation programme
Former Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs Mrs Karia J. Christopher, left, is now in the acting post of Director of Communications assigned to the Premier’s Office. She replaces Dr Arilene T. Penn, right, who has been on a rotation in the Attorney General‘s Chambers, where she is dealing with policy and administration. Photo: GIS/Facebook/File
From left: The Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs, and Government Law Offices in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
From left: The Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs, and Government Law Offices in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our newsroom from senior civil servants is that former Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs Mrs Karia J. Christopher is now in the acting post of Director of Communications assigned to the Premier’s Office.

She replaces Dr Arilene T. Penn, who has been on a rotation in the Attorney General‘s Chambers, where she is dealing with policy and administration.

Both officers are part of the Government's rotation programme where public officers are reassigned to gain more experience in different aspects of the public sector.

Mrs Christopher has not been forced out from the Trade and Consumer Affairs Department as has been inaccurately reported by a local tabloid; however, she has requested of her free will to leave and seek a reassignment. She has been working from home in her last year and a half at Trade due to personal issues.

The officer who has her own talk show, Real Talk with Karia Christopher, is described by many as the Oprah G. Winfrey of the Virgin Islands. The role of the Director of Communications is to speak on behalf of the Premier and his Government to the local, regional, and international media and to coordinate the Government Information Services (GIS) activities with the Chief Information Officer.

Inaccurate reporting by a local tabloid?

There is also a claim that an audit report was done on the Trade Department under Mrs Christopher’s tenure; however, we can confirm that no audit report has been done by either the Auditor General Mrs Sonia M. Webster or the Internal Audit Unit under the Ministry of Finance.

However, a private contractor was hired last year to look at systems in the Trade Department for the transition to making the Department a statutory board. The report, according to many familiar with the matter, has been sent to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, and the Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office (Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe).

Under the laws and policies of the Territory, if an audit report is conducted the next step is for it to be sent to the Governor and Cabinet before it is laid in the House of Assembly and made public, in keeping with best practices. No Minister can suppress an audit report.

Both Dr Penn and Mrs Christopher are highly qualified indigenous Virgin Islanders.

30 Responses to “Karia J. Christopher In! Dr Arliene T. Penn Out! As Communications Director!”

  • vex (27/09/2023, 18:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just read Cindy’s article another rhetoric reality gap. That's the new hater standard!
    • @Vex. Place messed up. (28/09/2023, 04:33) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      They need to give Cindy back her Job.. Weak leaders can't deal with strong personalities or different views.. If all we need are people who will go along just to get along we doomed, no wonder we are sinking deeper by the day, because the voices that want to keep us afloat and sailing safely are ignored and oppressed..
      • To: @Vex. Place messed up. (28/09/2023, 11:30) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        That ship has sailed so you and Cindy need to move on. Cindy is not an innocent lamb like she is trying to portray. Also there is nothing wrong with having different views and a strong personality but it must be accompanied with respect and wisdom. Most of you are supporting Cindy with her methodology are doing so because you dislike the present government. While I am not 100% a fan of theirs it makes me wonder if you all would be supporting her if she was the same way if your favored government was in power or if she was on the Governor and UK in the same manner because they are also not innocent lambs in this as they are trying to portray.
        • @To: @Vex. Place messed up. (28/09/2023, 15:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Even when respect and wisdom is used they victimize.
    • Choose wise (28/09/2023, 19:54) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Its Glamour Girl all year for me, real people.
  • hmm (27/09/2023, 18:55) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    And to whom they are related to in Government?
    • HMMM (28/09/2023, 06:50) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Corner lady club.
    • Azura (28/09/2023, 09:23) Like (29) Dislike (7) Reply
      Why is it that we can clearly see how one of the women looks, but the other is wearing a mask? Fake hair, eyebrows, concealing make-up, eyelashes. How does she really look because she looks different all of the time? If I saw her on the street I wouldn't know her. We need clarity for us to see who is the Communications Director. Is that too much to ask for?
      • Celebrate (28/09/2023, 15:32) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
        Please just celebrate and appreciate both women in all their styles and glory - different versions of beautiful.
  • Role eyes (27/09/2023, 19:09) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    If GUAVABERRY media is the new standard then better we band a free press
  • Citizen (27/09/2023, 19:22) Like (53) Dislike (3) Reply
    We keep recycling the same individual for jobs while we have other qualified individuals that are not afforded an opportunity.
    • Who is the enemy (28/09/2023, 04:45) Like (28) Dislike (10) Reply
      .You all keep saying Britain is the enemy. Now we again have more proof of who the enemy is" Our own". I work for 2 white companies when I travelled and it was good. White bosses only concern with your performance, getting the job done and done good. But a black boss, wants.to know where you from, who you for, which party you support then they treat you according to their like or dislike for you. You can be the best worker, if a black boss don't like you, you doomed and you can be their worse worker and if they like you, you good. England got this place so. They were to take it over, fix it and give it back to us, Just like what they did in Cayman's, now Cayman's is booming and doing the right thing..We are our own problem, oppressing, victimizing and hating our own.
      • god is watching (28/09/2023, 09:14) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
        @Who is the enemy you are so right! If I knew who you were I would come and shake your hand! Our own people are down pressing in this place meh son!! But who do we vent to?
      • @Who is the enemy (28/09/2023, 11:34) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
        What an uniformed and ignorant post. The private sector and not white boss is who operates like what you say as time is money in the private sector. All Governments in the world operate the same including Britan, Cayman, etc. but some are worse than others as it is easier to discipline and fire people in the private sector than any public sector.
      • We wish (29/09/2023, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not all white bosses are the same my dear.
    • @citizen (28/09/2023, 11:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your point is well taken but the public service does not operate like the private sector. They usually shift those already in the service around before moving towards hiring new people mainly for budgetary reasons. It is not the best way but it is what it is.
  • Better solution (27/09/2023, 19:23) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply
    Have the two of them work together because one plans all day and night and is good at planning alone. The other is a doer and knows how to get things done. Let both of them work together and get more done.
    • @Better solution (27/09/2023, 22:08) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Well said. The Doc knows how to prepare for surgery but cannot do the operation.
    • edgar (28/09/2023, 11:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      One will push anyone down that is in her way, it’s as if she likes creating a fire
  • Lie!!!!!!!!!!! (27/09/2023, 22:38) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lorna didnt want her in her corner!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Fam (27/09/2023, 22:42) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Two good choices
  • Citizen (27/09/2023, 23:40) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    GREAT CHOICES GREAT LADIES YOU GO GIRLS!
  • KING FISH (27/09/2023, 23:48) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    I read crazy lady post of the so-called G Berry media: Hater alert! Jealousy alert! Envy alert! You keep pushing Karia All of them like Ms. Cindy will eat crow when it’s all over and done.
  • Oh My God. (28/09/2023, 04:27) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    I would take Arlene any day, every day, all day over this lady. Arlene is real people, this lady is a fake, Arlene's name never get mix up in mix up.. They have beef with Arlene because she doesn't want to go long with their programme that she perceived as wrong, oppressive and ungodly,. I can understand they want someone with no morals who will go along for the likes and attention.. . That says a lot about where this country is heading..
  • Just 4 the sake of love (28/09/2023, 05:30) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look ,and please understand me. I love and care for this young lady, she has real high Hope and i love that too. But it is about time we STOP trying to put Class in Glass.
    Who ,even in their queerest analysis could even suggest linking this person (Humble yourself Girl) even in a dream of reality as THE OPHRA WHINFRY OF THE B V I.
    Let us Cut that out please beforeit EMBARASSES us in later times. Please dont think i am hauling her down.
  • NB (28/09/2023, 07:37) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    One set a people eating. No chances given to anybody else. We doomed
  • i from here (28/09/2023, 09:05) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Both good people and they are ours
    • l (28/09/2023, 12:23) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ i from here, Nope nope nope. That is the problem "I from here". Both are not good people. One thinks her S--T doesn't stink and she is leaving behind a few disgruntled co-workers. They are happy to be rid of her!
  • @Just 4 the sake of love (28/09/2023, 13:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Before "hauling" anyone down.... You need to check with grammarly/spell check before you post anything about anyone!!!
    Learn how to re-read and spell correctly before judging others!!!


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