Jenifer C. O’Neal- another local out! Expat consultant in!
This time it is Virgin Gordian Ms Jenifer C. O'Neal who was employed by the Ministry of Finance as a Policy Analyst II officer. Ms O’Neal had 2 two-year contracts with the Government of the Virgin Islands, but her last contract was not renewed, as a satisfactory employment package was not offered to her to continue as a public officer, according to information obtained by this news site.
It is this news site’s understanding that negotiations broke down with the Financial Secretary Mr Neil M. Smith who, according to an NDP source, had the final say to keep or not to keep the officer “so you can’t blame us for this one.”
The same source claimed that the issue that ended Ms O’Neal’s career in the civil service was allegedly over giving the officer a raise, along with other allowances. Her tenure ended on December 31, 2012 and she remains unemployed in her own country.
Ms O’Neal is very qualified, has years of experience, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a MBA with concentration in Finance and Accounting from the University of Baltimore, Maryland.
When this news site reached Financial Secretary, Neil M. Smith about this situation he told the news room he had no comments. The Human Resources Department did not return calls on the matter.
Ms O'Neal could not be reached for comments.
Expat given Consultancy with Ministry of Finance, a job that O’Neal can do!
Meanwhile, as a young qualified Virgin Islander is unemployed, an Anguillan national has been given a 1-year contract through the same Ministry of Finance for a job that Ms O’Neal could have taken on.
Mr Smith has, however, confirmed the consultancy contract but declined to go into details.
According to information obtained elsewhere by this news site, the consultancy contract of Kalleesha Mendie started November 2012 last year and is for one year at ninety five thousand dollars ($95,000). Besides the generous allowances, it includes a government vehicle.
Ms Mendie is expected to help modernize the Treasury Department, along with implementing the new government accounting system, among other contract items.
Following the 2011 General Elections that resulted in the NDP coming to power, the Accountant General Mrs. Kharid Fraser was removed from her post without reason, a move many labeled as political victimisation.
Ms Anna Rabsatt has been named Acting Accountant General. It is unclear when or if Mrs Fraser, the wife of the popular Third District Representative and Opposition Member Honnourable Julian Fraser RA, will return to her substantive post at the Treasury.
Locals displaced since 2011 elections; Governor is AWOL!
There remains a long laundry list of indigenous Virgin islanders who were either fired, contract not renewed, transferred, promotions blocked, reassigned, or were asked to take their vacation (government policy is take it or lose it, but it applies to some) or forced to retire.
Many have agreed that the majority of the situation had the express directive of Ministers of Government although they often claimed to have nothing to do with the public sector, which is certainly not the case.
The big question many civil servants continue to ask is; where is the United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary who is the head of the civil service?
Many believe Governor McCleary has become useless to the cause of the civil servants as he himself is a controversial figure. He has been blasted by many for his alleged violation of the Virgin Islands Constitution, not practicing good governance or upholding the rule of law.
The UK appointed governor has been distracted with public officers taking him to court for alleged violation of their rights, unfair dismissals and siding with Ag. Commissioner of Police David Morris on many new contentious practices as it relates to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
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80 Responses to “Jenifer C. O’Neal- another local out! Expat consultant in!”
What I expect is for the Governor to stay within the constitution and remind others about the constitution when they stray from it.
The practice of firing or replacing indigenous virgin islanders with out reason or explanation, has been very common in both VIP and NDP governing parties. The VIP was shameless in their victimization of individuals, but the NDP appear to be taking the reins from the VIP. Guys listen up. BVI is too damn small to absorb all the corruption that is taking place here. It makes us to look like a Gestapo Mafioso community. Brutal and heavy handedness is not the way to go. It is not attractive, it is not good governance. For God sake you guys stop it, and stop it now, before you bring about the demise of these beautiful islands. The F...S is one sided, bias and not approachable. It is his way or the highway. He is just like his damn father. They can only see things from one side.. Their Side. Why the HELL they have people like these in high sensitive positions, where you have to be be objective, and capable of showing empathy, is beyond all rationale of common sense. So, you want to tell me that letting go Ms. O'Neal was solely the decision of this idiot? HR and the Minister of Finance had no part in the decision? Give me a break. Good Governance is gone to the dogs.
Wellsa, is wha kinda a ministers/elected representatives we have buddy. Who the hell is N S. Then ah hear he the preach to the Adventistwist. How can they sit and listen to this bunch of crap. Tis true what the saying says, wolf in sheep's clothing. Keeping the Sabbath and living for the devil the other six day. Mr. S... you say you're a man of God, stop being so vindictive. God sees and knows ALL things.
Jen don't mind the noise. You will get your do. You came up hard and put yourself through school and you know what it is to work for want you want. Nobody gave you handouts, just put your trust in God He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek HIM.
The ministers and representative full of it. They get who they want. If the Premier wanted Jen there N S couldn't do a thing about it. Then again where is the Premier's wife from, Anguilla. That's why Ronnie got finance the last time he led, he wasn't being led. N.... got Dr. Smith wrap round he lil finger.. As slow as Ralph the walk, Dr. Smith can't touch he went it comes to the finances of this country. With Ralph we knew who was in charge. With Dr. Smith we still trying to figure out who runs the show.
The last I heard is that Mrs. O'neal asked for her base salary but no, Mr. Smith/The Premier prefered to get rid of her and pay this Ms. Mendie this huge salary with all the trimmings. All I can say is WOW. The lady aint know jack but she is here with this kind of contract. We say we want BVIslanders who are qualified we have one so what's the problem. Neil doing a lot of BS and not one member of government with the intestinal fortitude to put he in his place. Now I see why Ralphie didn't want he scany backside there. That's what happens when we think we bigger than people. Neil remember what goes around comes around. Karma is a bitch.
" but her last contract was not renewed, as a satisfactory employment package was not offered to her to continue as a public officer"
She turned down the job because they would give in to requests for extra money and benefits, could of more been done to keep her in the post, yes i'm sure they could of but in the end she didn't get enough moeny so didn't sign on the dotted line. So everyone of you BVIslanders go ahead and demand a pay rise or you won't stay on your current job and see how the vacancies are filled by Expats.
People look beyond being local...there are always underlying reasons why things are happening. SHE WAS ALLOWED TWO CONTRACTS AND AND THE END OF THE TWO THAT WAS IT....SHE ENDED HER LAST ONE IN DECEMBER SO NOW, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM....SHE HAD TO KNOW HA TERMS COMING IN RIGHT.....
Sickening!
but when the NDP and their cronies come to VG next election please booooooo them and throw hot pee on them