Crane chops off Lebanese worker’s finger, victim seeks compensation

A worker at the Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Limited, Magboro, Ogun State, Adams Kolawole, has demanded compensation from the company after he lost a finger while working at the haulage firm.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the Ondo State indigene was one of the casual workers in the organisation and he had been with the company since June 2021.

He was said to have worked in various units, including logistics, where he loaded goods going to different parts of the country.

Adams told PUNCH Metro that on February 16, 2022, he was told to load a faulty crane, which was not part of his job.

He said, “I was told to go and load a faulty crane. It was not part of my work, but I could not refuse.

“While we were working, my finger was trapped with the machinery we were loading. After that, the company gave me first aid. Later, they took me to hospital.

“Since that time, I have been bearing the pain and the company has not paid me any compensation for losing my finger in the process of their production.

“I have been using traditional methods to ensure that the wound is not infected.”

The 35-year-old claimed to have visited several hospitals over the injury, adding that the pain had not abated.

“I would have left Buildwell, but I have nowhere else to go. What they have just been doing is paying my salary, which is nothing compared to the cost of my treatment,” he added.

The Safety Officer of the company, Niyi Ayo, lamented that owners of the company were not responding to his complaints, adding that his report on the incident was not treated.

He said, “I am aware of this incident and I told them that they would have to take care of Adams, but they did not do anything.

“Adams was working when he was injured. I told them to take care of him and prevent a recurrence. Yet, nothing was done. I am a professional. I wrote a report and they have not done anything on it.”

PUNCH Metro contacted the Lebanese supervisor in charge of machines in the company, Joseph Yazbeck.

However, his phone number was not reachable.

A text message sent to his line had yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.

The company’s General Manager, Daniel Shrour, declined comment on the incident.

He said, “I won’t say anything on that and right now, I am at my mechanic’s workshop.”