Pests taking over

Bed bugs are creating a nightmare at one Government department.

They forced the closure of the Personnel Administration Division (PAD) located in the relatively modern E. Humphrey Walcott  Building at the corner of Culloden Road and Collymore Rock, St Michael.

The situation has workers upset as they have charged that attempts to fix the problem last weekend made some of them ill.

A media release through the Barbados Government Information Service said the building was closed “due to an environmental problem” and as a result, the PAD, Ministry of the Civil Service and the Unemployment Section of the National Insurance Department would be closed to the public.

An eradication exercise was done over the weekend and the building reopened on Monday, but the effects lingered throughout this week.

“Personnel Administration has chinks – that is why the public cannot come into the building,” a source told the Weekend Nation.

Staff were made to sit on black plastic bags this week after the building and furniture were sprayed over the weekend, and they were told to “push the work” and leave at noon each day.

Respiratory problems, including a choking cough; red, itchy skin; and a rash have been reported.

The workers said they were also told not to wear the clothing inside their homes. They were advised to take them off outside and soak them in a bucket of water. 

The building is closed again and the windows are to be opened today to allow it to air.

There are also reports of an infestation of the bugs at the cells at District “A” Police Station which have reportedly been out of bounds for an extended period. (SAT)

Read the full story in today’s Weekend Nation, or in the eNATION edition.