The interior of the Longford Jeremy Building on Corn Alley showing the shared office space where both Cotton Station admin staff and Plant Protection workers operate. Visible water damage and deteriorating conditions prompted health concerns from employees. (PHOTO CREDIT ANTIGUA OBSERVER)

**SOURCE: ANTIGUA OBSERVER-** A Government worker attached to the Plant Protection Unit (PPU) raised serious concerns about unsafe working conditions at the Longford Jeremy Building at Corn Alley, citing health hazards that she said were affecting her ability to perform her duties and threatening her wellbeing as a cancer patient.

Shirley Patricia Christian Richards, who was transferred to the PPU in February, told Observer media last week Thursday that the building was plagued with mold and hazardous conditions that had caused her to experience vomiting and other health issues. even before her arrival.

“The building full of mold and hazard things,” Christian Richards said. “From since I came here, I have experienced the vomiting and different things.”

The building houses staff members of both Cotton Station and PPU with both groups reportedly affected by the deteriorating conditions.

Christian Richards said repeated complaints to the Chief Plant Protection Officer had gone unanswered, with supervisors continuing to write reports but receiving no response from higher authorities.

The situation worsened during the flash floods on May 17, when water began running into the building, creating what Christian Richards described as a “very bad scent” that made working conditions nearly unbearable.

What made the situation worse, was the upper floors were unsanitary with water flowing through pipes into the lower floors where the workers and much of their computers and paperwork are located.

Further reports state that an exposed electrical wire on the stairway comes into contact with a railing in the building, and workers complain that in order to avoid electrical shocks, the stairway becomes unusable.

Christian, who is battling cancer, said her doctor has advised her to avoid stressful situations but expressed frustration that no senior officials, including Minister of Agriculture Anthony Smith, have visited the facility to assess the conditions firsthand.

The worker said she has been forced to leave the building at times to vomit outside due to the poor air quality, and that colleagues have had to bring alcohol to help manage the odours.

Christian Richards also raised concerns about vehicle allocation, claiming that PPU officers who needed transportation for work duties could not access government vehicles.

The building’s infrastructure presents additional safety concerns, with Christian Richards noting there is only one entrance and exit, which becomes blocked with refuse.

“One door in, one door out,” she said. “The exit door is where the rubbish pack up. There is no exit.”

The workers said that they continue to perform their regular duties, including processing permits, but cannot remain inside the building for extended periods due to the poor conditions.

“We still do work now. We still go in and permit and do our regular routine. But we just can’t sit in there,” they said, adding that the situation has been ongoing since former Minister Dean Jonas’ tenure as Minister of Agriculture.

Christian Richards said she has written a letter addressing her concerns to the Prime Minister and plans to send copies to various agencies, expressing frustration that the situation has persisted without resolution since her transfer in February 2025.

Observer media reached out to the Minister of Agriculture for comment but had not received a response up to press time.