World Bank Debars Nigerian Companies Over Corruption in Social Safety Net Project
By femi oyewale
The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, the World Bank detailed unethical actions during the 2018 procurement and contract processes for the project, which was designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households.
“The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam. The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria,” the statement read.
Allegations and Findings
According to the World Bank, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and gained access to confidential tender information from public officials. These acts violated the bank’s Anti-corruption Framework.
The companies and Mr. Didam also falsified experience records, submitted fake manufacturer authorization letters, and offered inducements to project officials, further undermining the integrity of the initiative aimed at assisting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
The statement added, “Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”
Sanctions and Compliance Measures
The debarment bars the two companies and Mr. Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects and operations for the next 30 months. As part of their settlement agreements, the parties admitted their culpability and agreed to meet specific conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.
Mr. Didam is required to complete individual ethics training, while both companies must strengthen their internal integrity policies and implement corporate ethics training programs aligned with the bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The World Bank noted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during the investigation, voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed restraints from bidding, and the time elapsed since the infractions.
Broader Implications
The debarments are subject to cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, further limiting the companies’ ability to participate in international development projects.
The World Bank reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, emphasizing that the implicated parties must fulfill the stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for future Bank-funded initiatives.
“The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency,” the statement concluded.
This development underscores the World Bank’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in its projects, particularly those aimed at improving the livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
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