Abuja: Denis Hotel Allegedly Abandons Worker After Chemical Explosion At Work Burnt, Disfigured Him
A popular hotel in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, Dennis Hotel, has been accused of abandoning Mr. Michael Richard, an employee who went blind following an explosion in the hotel.
The 24-year-old Michael was employed as a steward in the foods and beverages department of the hotel located at Plot 9 N’djamena Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse II, Abuja. He was responsible for setting the table for buffets, arranging cutlery, and clearing them after each meal.
His employment was reportedly confirmed on January 29, 2019, making him a full staff member of the hotel.
SaharaReporters gathered that on May 10, 2019, Michael’s supervisor, known simply as Silas, a senior staff member in the foods and beverages department, instructed him to mix hydrochloric acid, commonly referred to as Magic 45, with water to clean plates, bowls, pots, and drainages.
Michael who was not an expert in mixing chemicals, followed the instructions as handed down by his supervisor but during the mixing process, the chemical mixture became corrosive, resulting in an explosion that splashed onto his face, causing severe burns to his face, eye, stomach, laps, and manhood.
A source who spoke to SaharaReporters said, “Michael managed to make his way to the washroom, where he poured water on himself before receiving assistance several hours later.
“He was then rushed to Dr. Hassan Hospital in Abuja for medical treatment. But the doctors at the hospital refused to treat him initially due to a lack of funds as a deposit for his medical bill.
“His elder brother, Emmanuel Ezeadua, had to leave work and drive for over 45 minutes to make the initial deposit of N40,000, allowing the treatment to commence.”
Findings revealed that Michael underwent several surgeries, particularly on his left eye, which was severely affected by the chemical burn.
But the hotel allegedly refused to pay for the removal of stitches which made the stitches remain on his face longer than necessary, causing immense pain and ultimately resulting in total blindness in the affected eye.
SaharaReporters learnt that the situation has caused him to experience periodic migraines, so Michael relies on eye drops to reduce the pain in his blind eye. He has repeatedly demanded compensation from Dennis Hotel to settle his bills and take care of himself but that has not happened yet.
After making several entreaties to the hotel, Michael consequently sought the services of a legal practitioner, Ebuka Ikeorah to help protect his rights.
Ebuka has filed a case with number NICN/ABJ/160/2021 at the National Industry Court in Abuja, seeking to enforce Michael Richard’s rights as an employee.
The claim is based on Dennis Hotel’s failure to comply with Section 33(1) of the Employee Compensation Act, which requires employers to contribute 1% of the total monthly payroll of all employees to a fund as insurance for such incidents.
Meanwhile, when our reporter went to the hotel to get the reaction of the management of the hotel to the issue, a front desk officer on duty said the public relations officer of the hotel, who was in the best position to comment on the issue, was in a meeting.
Our reporter left after the PRO kept him waiting for close to one and a half hours.
However, after repeated calls to the hotel’s mobile phone number, one Joel Opara later answered and said, “It was a mistake from his side that led to the accident, and not from anyone. I remember that after the accident, the victim was rushed to the hospital by the hotel.”
“They went there many times to check on him and also paid the hospital bill. I was told he was seen around the hotel briefly after the incident. I think he came around and after then we didn’t hear from him again,” he added. SaharaReporters
