A Port Harcourt-based firm, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, has denied abandoning a contract staff member, David Depreye, after he suffered a workplace accident in December 2020.
Depreye, a service contractor to Indorama Fertiliser Limited, had alleged that he was neglected by the firm after the accident.
However, the management of Indorama faulted the claim, describing it as untrue.
Head, Corporate Communications of the firm, Jossy Nkwocha, explained that the company responded immediately after Depreye sustained the injury at its fertiliser complex.
According to him, Indorama handled the medical bills, even when he was not an employee of the company, and ensured that he was kept on the payroll till date.
Nkwocha said despite the gestures, Depreye went to court requesting for his employer, SPEO (contractor), and Indorama to provide proper medical attention to his fractured leg and also pay N8 million as compensation plus N500,000 as legal fees.
He said: “Upon being served with the court process, we invited 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 April 19, 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.
“It was also agreed that the claimant, his lawyer, together with SPEO’s MD and his lawyer, should go to UPTH for medical appraisal and obtain the cost implication of the final surgery.”
“They reported back at a second meeting in the complex, that the total cost of corrective surgery would be about N1.9 million.
“At this stage, Depreye said he did 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 demanded N12 million in full and final settlement of all claims, against the N8 million he requested the court to grant him.
“Although Indorama is not the direct employee of Depreye, and therefore not ordinarily liable for his treatment, Indorama nonetheless offered to pay him N5 million in full and final settlement of all claims. But he refused, threatening, ‘We shall meet in court’.”
According to him, since Depreye’s discharge from hospital over a year ago, he has not turned up at the Indorama complex for work, yet the firm has continued to pay his salary and allowances for three years, since the accident.
He added that the firm has invited Depreye and his lawyer to a meeting today, Monday, February 5, for further amicable resolution.
