The World Bank has debarred two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited and their Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Norman Didam for 30 months.
According to the World Bank, the debarment is as a result of their involvement in fraudulent, collusive and corrupt practices in the National Social Safety Nets Project aimed at supporting vulnerable households in Nigeria.
World Bank stated that the violations occurred during a 2018 procurement and contract process.
The companies and their MD/CEO misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bid and got access to confidential tender information through public officials, contrary to the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework.
Further investigation revealed that Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam altered the company’s experience records and submitted fake manufacturer authorisation letters.
The investigation also revealed that they offered bribes to project officials.
These actions compromised the safety net programme designed to support Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
As a result, the implicated parties are debarred for 30 months. The settlement also has the following conditions:
Mr. Didam must take ethics training.
The companies must develop internal compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training in line with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The World Bank acknowledged the cooperation of the parties during the investigation. Their willingness to take corrective measures, self-imposed restraint from bidding and time lapsed since the violations led to reduction in debarment period.
The debarments are also cross-debarred by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.
The Bank reiterated its zero tolerance to corruption and commitment to transparency and accountability in projects. The implicated parties must fulfill all the conditions during the debarment period to be eligible to bid in future Bank funded projects.