The management of Indorama Fertilizer Company Limited has described as false the allegation by one David Depriye that the company failed to provide him with medical support after he had sustained injuries on both legs while on duty.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Jossey Nkwocha, Head Corporate Communications, Indorama Fertilizer Company Limited, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, Mr David Depriye, an employee of SPEO Nigeria Limited, a service contractor to the company, was never abandoned adding that all his medical bills were paid by Indorama Fertilizer Company Limited

It added that Indorama took over the medical bills of Diepriye on compassionate despite the fact that he was not a staff of the company.

“In fact, 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 said that after providing first aid facilities to him, David was later transferred to Rehoboth Medical Service Hospital at the expense of Indorama Fertilizer Company.

“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 accruable to an employee who suffered workplace accident as provided under the Employee Compensation Act”.

The statement further noted that lndorama took over the medical bills of Mr. Depreye and ensured that he was kept on the payroll until this moment.

“In other words, his salary has been paid up to date. After being hospitalized for over a year at which time he went through corrective surgery on the legs at the expense of his employer SPEO and Indorama, he was eventually discharged but continued treatment on outpatient basis.

‘”This was the situation when 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 Eight Million Naira (N8m) as compensation plus Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#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.

“It was also agreed that the Claimant, his lawyer together with SPEO’s MD and his lawyer should go to the 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 One Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (#1.9m). 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 for Twelve Million Naira full and final settlement of all claims against theHe now demanded for Twelve Million Naira (#12m) in full and final settlement of all claims against the #8m he was requesting the court to grant him.

“Although Indorama is not the direct employee of Mr. Depreye and therefore not ordinarily liable for his treatment, Indorama nonetheless offered to pay him Five Million Naira (#5m) in full and final settlement of all claims but he refused threatening us that ‘we shall meet in court.

“When the suit came up on 24th October, 2023, his lawyer informed the court that parties were exploring out of court settlement and applied for adjournment to enable the parties conclude. The lawsuit was adjourned to 4th December, 2023. On that day, the Judge informed the court of his transfer from Port Harcourt and that the case would be assigned to a new Judge.

“It was against this background that Mr. Depreye rushed to the press to make spurious allegations against the company with a view to tarnishing the hard earned reputation of Indorama.

“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. Yet, since his discharge from hospital over a year ago, he has refused to turn up at the Indorama Complex for work while Indorama has for three years since the accident, continued to pay his salary and allowances till date.

“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”, statement added.