A fertiliser production company in Rivers state, Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, has denied abandoning a worker of one of its contracted firms who sustained serious injuries following a workplace accident.
This was as the 42 year old load masher, Depreye David, staff of SPEO Nigeria Limited, working at the Indorama bulk loading bay, on Wednesday alleged that he was abandoned for four years after he fell from a truck and shattered both his legs on December 23, 2020.
Depreye in a press briefing organised by Rivers Civil Society Organisations, accused Indorama of refusing to provide him the medical support he needed to recover from his injuries.
Reacting to Depreye’s accusations, the Head, Corporate Communications, Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, explained that Mr. Depreye lied when he said Indorama abandoned him after his accident.
Nkwocha in a press briefing on Friday, said contrary to Depreye’s claims, Indorama on compassionate grounds took full responsibility for the medical bills of Mr Depreye, as his employer, SPEO Nigeria Limited at the time of the accident was not registered with National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Indorama’s image maker, Nkwocha clarified that Depreye following his unfortunate accident, was rushed to its medical facility with the facility of Indorama where first aid was administered to him before he was transferred to Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital for a more comprehensive orthopedic treatment.
Nkwocha said, “On 23rd December, 2020, Mr. Depreye, a Masher employed by SPEO Nigeria Limited and deployed to Indorama bulk loading bay, sustained injury on his two legs while at work in IFL complex.
“Indorama responded immediately by providing first aid medical treatment at the company’s clinic within the complex. He was thereafter transferred at the expense of Indorama to SPEO retainer hospital – Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital – where orthopedic medication was administered.
“In view of the fact that SPEO was at the time of the accident not registered with National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), he could not avail himself of the benefits accrueable to an employee who suffered workplace accident as provided under the Employee Compensation Act.”
Nkwocha, noted that despite Indorama’s efforts to cater to the medical needs of Mr. Depreye proceeded to file a lawsuit against Indorama at the National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt, seeking a compensation of N8 million, plus Five N500,000 legal fees.
Dr. Nkwocha added that regardless of the pending suit, Indorama continued to seek an amicably settlement out of court.
“In March 2023 Mr. Depreye filed a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court Port Harcourt requesting the Court for firstly an order compelling his employer SPEO and Indorama to provide proper medical attention to his fractured leg and secondly to pay a total sum of N8 million as compensation plus 500,000 as Legal Fees.
“Upon being served with the court process, we invited Mr. Depreye and his lawyer to a meeting to resolve the matter amicably. In attendance was the Managing Director of SPEO and his lawyer.
“At that meeting on 19th April 2023 it was observed that there was a need to have further treatment to correct the surgery earlier conducted by Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital. The Claimant and SPEO identified University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) as the hospital where the corrective surgery will be carried out.”
Nkwocha stated that SPEO and Mr Depreye following a fruitful meeting, unanimously agreed to access a corrective surgery at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), at the cost of N1.9 million, but Mr. Depreye after his initial visit to the hospital, suddenly rejected the surgery and opted for a traditional treatment in his village and demanding that the earmarked treatment sum be given to him, plus an additional N12 million as full and final settlement.
“They reported back at a second meeting in the complex that the total cost of corrective surgery would be about One Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N1.9m). At this stage, Mr. Depreye said he does not want surgery anymore but traditional treatment in his village and that the money for treatment and compensation should be handed over to him.
“He now demanded Twelve Million Naira (N12m) in full and final settlement of all claims against the N8m he was requesting the court to grant him.”
Nkwocha said despite the unsalutory behavior of the Mr Depreye, Indorama had on compassionate grounds sought avenues to salvage the situation and had scheduled a meeting with him on Monday, February 5.
“It is necessary to highlight the fact that Mr. Depreye is neither on medical leave nor currently hospitalized. The medical reports have not shown that he is unfit for work.
“Notwithstanding this umbrage, Indorama, on compassionate ground has invited Mr. Depreye and his lawyer to a meeting scheduled for Monday 5th February 2024 in the continuing search for an amicable resolution.”
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