‘Abandoned’ accident victim appeals for help to survive

A 33-year-old man, Lucas Twentor, who suffered disability during his employment with Nasir Block Factory Limited, is seeking legal assistance to enable him to get compensation.

Lucas says he survived a fatal accident while on duty on may 1, 2018 and is now partially disabled, and has been neglected by his employers.

The accident reportedly occurred around Achimota, when Lucas Twentor and six others were transporting blocks out of the Nasir Block Factory located along the Kwabenya-Pokuase road in the Greater Accra region.

Four employees were reportedly buried under falling blocks leading to the death of one Ernest Acheampong on the spot.

The other three, Raphael Ogbordjor, Prosper Martins and Lucas Twentor, suffered varying injuries and spent between three and five months at the 37 Military Hospital.

Prosper is nursing a right thigh with an implant while doctors contemplate amputating one of Raphael’s arms.

Lucas Twentor suffered multiple body injuries in the face, ankle, abdomen, hands and lost almost half of his teeth. He is currently unable to do anything.

According to Lucas, the company’s support was limited to his hospital bill, but what to eat and the upkeep of his family while on admission till date, was left on his wife and the benevolence of friends and neighbours.

He stated that his condition makes it difficult for him to move about and do any physical activity, and that he is now jobless and need help in fending for himself and his family.

“I have no job, so I need help from Ghanaians out there, I do not even have money to buy my drugs. My movement is restricted; I can’t do anything on my own. So I need help from Ghanaians out there, because I am really suffering. We only feed off the benevolence of people who randomly gift us money,” he stated in Twi.

Lucas further appealed for a lawyer to help initiate civil action in court against his former employer for abandoning him.

“I also need a lawyer who can help me. My former employer is only cheating me; he has never been here to find out my well-being so I need help,” he said.

Currently, Lucas is being evicted from the kiosk he occupied in an uncompleted compound.

The family had earlier been evicted from their rented apartment within the vicinity of Pokuase ACP Estate.

He also needs to undergo surgery on his face, which he is unable to afford.

Lucas’ two children, 11 and 3 years old, were sacked from school due to none payment of fees.

With no response coming from the former employers, Nasir Block Factory Limited, the family is now seeking public support for survival and redress.

We’ve done our best – ex employer

Management of Nasir Block Factory Limited confirmed the incident but denied neglecting the victims.

“It’s true, the accident did happen, that was last year on the 1st of May which was a holiday. Over here, it is more or less like a construction field, and you are paid based on the work you do,” manager of the company, Kusi Ennin

He added: “They set off to deliver blocks and the accident happened around Achimota. Unfortunately, one person died”.

According to him, they responded to the needs of the victims as required.

"The company paid all the bills, medical bills, drugs and all that. In the case of Lucas, If he says the company has totally neglected him, I will not agree to that fact because me myself, I have been there before with some other guys and we were able to gather something for him, though it might not be enough,” he stated

On the issue of compensation for Lucas Twentor and his other colleagues, Mr. Ennin said they are waiting to get insurance claims from their insurers to be able to settle them.

“We are still working on insurance to give us the full pay for compensation, and we assured him that as soon as the insurance is paid, he will also get his share.”

As it stands, unless help comes from somewhere, Lucas Twentor and his two other colleagues might continue to endure agonizing pain and hardship until the claim from the company’s insurers are finally paid.