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 Bwuruk 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 how unethical practices compromised the 2018 procurement and contract process for the project, which was designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households.
“Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and their Managing Director misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and accessed confidential tender information from public officials. These actions constitute fraudulent and collusive practices under the World Bank’s Anti-corruption Framework,” the statement read.
The bank further revealed that Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam falsified experience records, submitted fake manufacturer’s authorization letters, and offered inducements to project officials, actions it classified as corrupt practices.
“These violations undermined the integrity of the social safety net initiative aimed at supporting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations,” the statement emphasized.
### Terms of Debarment
The 30-month debarment bars the companies and their CEO from participating in any World Bank-financed projects during the period. The parties have acknowledged their culpability and agreed to fulfill specific conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.
Key requirements include:
– Individual ethics training for Mr. Didam.
– Implementation of improved internal compliance policies and ethics training programs by the companies, in line with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The bank highlighted that the debarment period was reduced due to the parties’ cooperation during investigations, voluntary corrective actions, and self-imposed restrictions from bidding on contracts.
### Broader Implications
The debarments are subject to cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions. This means the implicated firms and individuals are barred from participating in projects financed by other signatory institutions.
“The companies and Mr. Didam also committed to continued cooperation with the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency during and after the debarment period,” the statement noted.
### Commitment to Accountability
The World Bank reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in development projects. It also noted that the implicated parties must meet all stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for future World Bank-funded projects.
