Health officials have found “no evidence of rodent infestation” at the General Post Office, Postmaster General Joann Busby has insisted, contradicting claims that prompted a union leader to advise workers to stay home over safety concerns. Busby strongly refuted the allegations, revealing that preventative cleaning measures were already planned for the weekend.

The head of the Unity Workers Union, Caswell Franklyn, said he had received complaints of rodent infestation on Wednesday and Thursday.

Franklyn had advised workers to refrain from reporting to their stations due to health and safety concerns but Busby insisted in a statement late Friday that workers need not be concerned.

Busby explained that management became aware of staff concerns about the possible presence of vermin yesterday and moved promptly to address the matter. Michelle Walrond, deputy postmaster general for operations and personnel, met with the staff and toured the area. As a result of the concerns expressed by staff members, out of an abundance of caution they were restricted from the area.

Busby said janitors were asked to wipe down the work surfaces and a professional cleaning firm was contacted to provide the necessary cleaning service in the area of concern. This was undertaken and staff, who remained sceptical on Friday were so advised by the senior postal superintendent of mails, Gracie Stephens-Nelson, who was on-site during the cleaning process.

This was followed by a meeting held by Cecil Benjamin, deputy postmaster general for international postal affairs and business development, with the assembled staff members to address their concerns.

Given that the GPO in Cheapside is surrounded by a fresh-produce market and several canteens – bait stations were located throughout the building. Busby said.

She added that in light of the staff concerns additional traps were set, and disputed the claims.

Busby said in a statement: “The allegations of the dead rodents around the building as a result, are completely erroneous. It seems that Mr Franklin was incorrectly informed. Moreover, management had already made arrangements for the industrial cleaning to take place on the weekend of March 22 and 23, 2025, to ensure that employees return to a safe and sanitary working environment on March 24, 2025. information of which Mr. Franklin was also unaware given his public statements.”

The postmaster general insisted that the safety and wellbeing of all postal workers are very important to this management team, saying: “We focus on resolving problems, once they are brought to our attention.”

Busby disclosed that a team from the Ministry of Health led by Principal Environmental Officer Lena Prescod as well as vector control officers from the Vector Control Unit visited the General Post Office for an inspection, following which Elly Holford, vector control officer, said that there was “no evidence of rodent infestation”.

Busby added that “in the interest of the peace of mind of our staff”, a Ministry of Health official is expected to visit the General Post Office Monday morning before staff members return to their stations.

“We are most grateful to them and Vector Control for their prompt response and their invaluable assistance in resolving this matter,” the postmaster general said in her statement. (BT)

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The footage circulating online shows an individual emptying residential waste bins and dumping the contents near a business establishment. The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) said it was not an isolated incident and has sounded the alarm over persistent illegal dumping in the area.

“What we’re seeing here is an ongoing problem where food cartons and various other waste items are being dumped indiscriminately,” Carl Padmore, the SSA’s public relations officer, told Barbados TODAY.

Padmore revealed that the perpetrator was disposing of both personal and others’ refuse, exacerbating an already critical situation.

“We are deeply concerned because such actions contribute to the increasing rodent population in the area,” Padmore said. “Moreover, this waste can wash down into the road, leading to severe flooding, especially during heavy rainfall.”

Despite a prominently displayed ‘No Dumping’ sign, the area continues to be plagued by illegal dumping by both residents and businesses. Repeated warnings and public health notices have fallen on deaf ears, leaving authorities frustrated.

“The public health officers have spoken to the residents and businesses in this area, but it seems nothing is working,” Padmore lamented, repeating his appeal to the public for support in tackling this issue.

The SSA’s efforts to address the situation have been hampered by limitations in their enforcement capabilities, as this responsibility lies with the police. Padmore expressed hope that increased awareness and community co-operation could help stem the tide of illegal dumping.

As the SSA redoubles its efforts to combat this environmental menace, it urges residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly. 

“This issue affects everyone, and we need the public’s help to stop illegal dumping,” Padmore urged, while calling on the public to report any witnessed illegal dumping to the relevant authorities. Only through collective action, he argued, can Bridgetown hope to clean up its act and safeguard its environmental future.

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