Indorama Petrochemicals Ltd Affirms Unyielding Commitment to Workplace Safety Amid Allegations
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Indorama Petrochemicals Limited in Eleme, Rivers State, has emphatically asserts its unwavering dedication to workplace safety, responding to recent allegations during a media briefing on Friday. Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, the Head of Corporate Communications, addressed the claims made by Mr. David Diepreye, an injured site worker associated with one of the company’s contractors.
Diepreye, employed by SPEO Nig. Limited, a service contractor for Indorama Fertilizer Limited, suffered an accident on December 23, 2020, while working at Indorama’s loading bay. Nkwocha confirmed the incident, acknowledging the injuries sustained by Diepreye, a Masher employed by SPEO Nig. Ltd, involving both legs.
The company’s spokesperson revealed that Indorama promptly responded to the accident, providing necessary first aid at its clinic. Diepreye was subsequently transferred to Rehoboth Medical Hospital, an SPEO retainer hospital, for orthopedic treatment.
Nkwocha noted a crucial detail, highlighting that at the time of the accident, SPEO was not registered with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund, rendering it uncovered by the Employee Compensation Act. Consequently, Diepreye was denied the benefits usually associated with workplace accidents.
“In a compassionate gesture, Indorama took over the victim’s medical bills and ensured he remained on its payroll till date, with his salary paid up to the current time,” stated Nkwocha.
Despite the ongoing medical support, Diepreye initiated legal action against his parent company (SPEO) and Indorama, seeking additional medical attention valued at N8M and a legal fee of five hundred thousand naira.
Nkwocha clarified that further investigations, involving the Claimant’s lawyer, SPEO, and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), indicated that the cost of the corrective surgery was N1.9M.
Expressing surprise at Diepreye’s attempt to extort Indorama through the Industrial Court, Nkwocha, on behalf of the company, urged the court to compel SPEO and Indorama to pay a compensation of N12M as part of an out-of-court settlement.
Our correspondent reports that Diepreye has accused Indorama of neglect in his medical battle stemming from a workplace accident.
