Serious allegations have been raised against the Director of Trade Mrs. Karia Christopher which according to reports from credible confidential sources has subsequently followed in the alleged submission of her resignation.
This is according to documents observed by 284News and information received from confidential sources where it was revealed that the director is accused of engaging in three serious unethical practices that have allegedly occurred on numerous occasions.
One of the allegations accuses the director of entering the Department of Trade’s database and editing the licences of some trade licence holders without applying due process.
Reports further allege that in some instances, the director also circumvented established protocols when exercising the aforementioned alleged practices.
Some of the alleged practices include the removal of conditions including site visits and the submission of the required Environmental Health report, which is said to have been done without justifiable documentation or on some occasions without mentioning the removal of the conditions.
284News further understands that some of the licenses containing the alleged edits had the final approval of the director.
Christopher is also accused of editing several of her trade licences by inserting new activities without executing the proper procedures and without the requisite documentation. This alleged practice is said to have cost the Department of Trade a loss in revenue since the edits are said to have been done at no additional expense to the director.
Additionally, Christopher is accused of approving a trade licence for a non-belonger, an action that falls in the remit of the Premier and most recently the Junior Minister for Trade.
Christopher’s response to allegations
284News understands that an internal investigation was launched into the allegations and they were presented to the director who was given the opportunity to respond to the accusations brought before her.
In response to the allegation of unjustifiably removing conditions from some clients’ trade licenses, Christopher said the practice is a norm for her as director, as she usually removes conditions or in some cases imposes them.
She said the removal of an Environment Health report condition is only done in cases of error or after communicating with the Environmental Health Division.
As it relates to contacting some clients directly to collect trade licences, Christopher pointed to the staff shortage in her department as one of the reasons for the practice, stating that she is involved at all levels of her department.
Denies editing own trade licences
The director also denied the allegation that she has in the past edited her own trade licences, stating that she has never changed any of her licences nor has she ever engaged in any practice that was not sanctioned legally.
She labeled the accusation an attempt to assassinate her character and the reputation she has built over the past eight years as director.
On the accusation of approving a trade licence for a non-belonger, the director made reference to a specific case where she alluded to an amending of an already approved trade licence for a construction business and not one that was newly approved.
She said once a trade licence for a non-belonger is issued, her department deals with all amendments internally, a practice which she claims has occurred for years. But in this specific scenario, Christopher is observed stating that she expanded the services of the client’s Construction trade license to include plumbing, adding that it is associated with construction and saw nothing wrong with the decision.
Christopher said similar changes are known to be a norm and have been the practice over the years.
Following the reports of the accusations, 284News reached out to the Junior Minister for Trade Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles to gain a comment on the matter.
While stating that she will not offer a comment on the reports, the junior minister did say that allegations of such nature under her watch will certainly be investigated.
284News also reached out to the Office of the Deputy Governor which is responsible for public servants.
The office noted that any reports of misconduct received are investigated in keeping with the Service Commissions Act, 2011 and Service Commissions Regulations, 2014.
In response to whether an audit will be conducted into the Department of Trade, the Deputy Governor’s Office said, “Audits are a normal approach to determining changes needed or areas where further evidence is required to conclude matters.”
Whether Christopher will be sent on leave while investigations are launched into the allegations remain unclear.
But 284News understands that following the submission of Christopher’s June 2023 resignation date, an effort is being made internally by some persons to have her reconsider that decision with the possibility of having her transferred to another department.
It is unclear whether Christopher’s resignation is linked to the raised allegations or whether it as a result of other unrelated matters.
More to come on this developing story.