Indorama Denies Abandoning An Injured Employee

Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, a fertilizer production company in Rivers state, has denied abandoning a worker from one of its contracted firms who suffered serious injuries in a workplace accident.

This came as Depreye David, a 42-year-old load masher for SPEO Nigeria Limited working at the Indorama bulk loading bay, claimed on Wednesday that he was abandoned for four years after falling from a truck and breaking both of his legs on December 23, 2020.
In a press conference organised by Rivers Civil Society Organisations, Depreye accused Indorama of refusing to provide him with the medical care he required to recover from his injuries.
In response to Depreye’s accusations, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, Head of Corporate Communications at Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, stated that Mr. Depreye lied when he claimed Indorama abandoned him following his accident.
Nkwocha stated in a press briefing on Friday that, contrary to Depreye’s claims, Indorama took full responsibility for Mr. Depreye’s medical bills on compassionate grounds, as his employer, SPEO Nigeria Limited, was not registered with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund at the time of the accident.
Indorama’s image maker, Nkwocha, clarified that Depreye was rushed to its medical facility after his unfortunate accident, where he received first aid before being transferred to Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital for more comprehensive orthopedic treatment.
Nkwocha stated, “On December 23, 2020, Mr. Depreye, a Masher employed by SPEO Nigeria Limited and deployed to the Indorama bulk loading bay, sustained an injury on his two legs while working in the IFL complex.”
“Indorama responded quickly by providing first-aid medical care at the company’s clinic within the complex. He was then transferred, at Indorama’s expense, to the SPEO retainer hospital, Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital, where orthopedic medication was administered.
“Because SPEO was not registered with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) at the time of the accident, he was unable to claim the benefits available to an employee who suffered a workplace accident under the Employee Compensation Act.”
Nkwocha noted that, despite Indorama’s efforts to meet Mr. Depreye’s medical needs, he filed a lawsuit against Indorama at the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, seeking N8 million in compensation plus five N500,000 in legal fees.
Dr. Nkwocha also stated that, despite the pending lawsuit, Indorama continued to seek an amicable settlement outside of court.
“In March 2023, Mr. Depreye filed a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, requesting an order compelling his employer SPEO and Indorama to provide proper medical attention to his fractured leg and, secondly, to pay a total of N8 million in compensation plus 500,000 in legal fees.
“After being served with the court process, we invited Mr. Depreye and his lawyer to a meeting to settle the matter amicably. The SPEO Managing Director and his lawyer were in attendance.
“At that meeting on April 19, 2023, it was determined that further treatment was required to correct the surgery previously performed by Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital. The Claimant and SPEO agreed that the corrective surgery would take place at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Nkwocha stated that after a fruitful meeting, SPEO and Mr Depreye unanimously agreed to access corrective surgery at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for N1.9 million, but Mr. Depreye abruptly rejected the surgery and opted for traditional treatment in his village, demanding that the earmarked treatment sum be given to him, plus an additional N12 million in full and final settlement.
“They reported at a second meeting in the complex that the total cost of corrective surgery would be around one million nine hundred thousand naira (N1.9 million). At this point, Mr. Depreye has stated that he no longer wants surgery and instead prefers traditional treatment in his village and that the funds for treatment and compensation should be transferred to him.
“He now demanded Twelve Million Naira (N12m) in full and final settlement of all claims against the N8m that he was asking the court to grant him.”
Nkwocha stated that despite Mr. Depreye’s salutary behaviour, Indorama had sought avenues to salvage the situation on compassionate grounds and had scheduled a meeting with him for Monday, February 5.
“It is important to note that Mr. Depreye is neither on medical leave nor currently hospitalised. The medical reports do not show that he is unfit for work.
“Despite this outrage, Indorama, on compassionate grounds, has invited Mr. Depreye and his lawyer to a meeting scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024, in the ongoing search for an amicable solution.”