Ministry of Agriculture Honours Plant Protection Veterans for Over 40 Years of Service by Brent Simon
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy formally honoured two stalwarts of the Plant Protection Division—Mrs. Ireatha Thomas-Hunte and Mr. Alexander “Wilbur” Simmons—during a retirement recognition ceremony celebrating more than four decades of dedicated public service.
The event marked the end of an era for the Ministry, as both retirees devoted the majority of their working lives to safeguarding Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector, biodiversity and food security.
During her congratulatory remarks,Dr Jamil Gore-Francis – Chief Plant Protection Officer expressed her gratitude to the retirees’ for unwavering commitment to national service, noting that between them, they represent over 40 years of institutional knowledge, field experience, and frontline protection of the country’s agricultural systems.
A Legacy of Vigilance and Mentorship
Mrs. Thomas-Hunte began her career in Plant Protection in 1984, at a time when modern quarantine systems were still in their infancy. Rising through the ranks from ground-level inspection work, she became a frontline defender against invasive pests and plant diseases, responding to reports from homeowners and farmers alike.
As Antigua and Barbuda’s plant protection framework evolved, Mrs. Thomas-Hunte moved to the front lines at ports of entry, working closely with customs and immigration to ensure that no unauthorized plant material or pests threatened national food security.
Her role extended beyond inspections; she became a mentor to generations of officers, helping shape the standards and discipline that define the Division today.
Her service strengthened national resilience and quietly protected the country through periods of global upheaval, economic instability, climate challenges, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
An Unsung Hero of Plant Protection
Mr. Alexander Simmon—affectionately known across the Ministry as “Wilbur”—began his Plant Protection journey in 1985, long before terms like “biosecurity” and “food systems resilience” entered everyday conversation.
Over the course of 40 years, Wilbur served as an all-rounder that involved being a pest control operator, field inspector, driver, and ground operations officer, navigating every corner of the island in defense of local agriculture. His work during closed cotton seasons, pest control operations, and station-based inspections played a critical role in protecting key crops and preserving biodiversity.
Described as an unsung hero, Wilbur consistently avoided the spotlight, yet remained an essential part of the country’s first line of agricultural defense. His retirement in August leaves the Division stronger than he found it—a hallmark of true public service.
The well-wishers encouraged both retirees to embrace retirement not as an end, but as the beginning of a new chapter—one marked by rest, reflection, and well-earned freedom. While no longer inspecting fields or ports of entry, they were reminded that their legacy lives on in the systems they helped build and the officers they trained.
On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, heartfelt thanks were extended to Mrs. Thomas-Hunte and Mr. Alexander Simmons by both the Permanent Secretary, Mr.Walter Christopher, and the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Gregory Bailey, for their decades of service to Antigua and Barbuda.
As one speaker aptly noted, retirement may mean stepping away from work—but never from life. The adventures, it seems, are just the beginning.
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