The World Bank Group has announced a 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Norman Didam. The sanction stems from fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, the World Bank revealed that the project, which was designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households, was compromised due to unethical practices during the 2018 procurement process and subsequent contract implementation.
The statement read: “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.”
Allegations and Violations
According to the World Bank, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam engaged in multiple unethical practices, including misrepresenting a conflict of interest in their bids and obtaining confidential tender information from public officials. These actions were classified as fraudulent and collusive under the bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework.
The statement added that Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam falsified the company’s experience records, submitted fake manufacturer’s authorization letters, and provided inducements to project officials. These acts were categorized as corrupt practices that undermined the integrity of the social safety net initiative aimed at benefiting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
The World Bank elaborated: “According to the facts of the case and the general principles of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, in connection with a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, which constituted fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively.
“Further, 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.”
Debarment and Settlement Agreements
The debarment prevents the two companies and Mr. Didam from participating in any World Bank-financed projects and operations for the 30-month period. As part of their settlement agreements, the parties admitted their culpability and agreed to meet specific conditions, including implementing enhanced compliance measures.
The conditions outlined in the agreements require Mr. Didam to complete individual ethics training. Meanwhile, the companies must strengthen their internal compliance policies and roll out corporate ethics training programs aligned with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The World Bank noted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during investigations, their voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed bidding restraints, and the time elapsed since the infractions occurred.
The statement also highlighted the implications of cross-debarment under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, signed by other multilateral development banks in April 2010. “The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The settlement agreements feature reduced debarment periods due to the companies’ and Mr Didam’s cooperation with the Bank Group’s investigation, voluntary corrective actions, voluntary restraint from participating in Bank Group tenders, and the passage of time,” the statement said.
Commitment to Transparency
The World Bank reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to corruption, emphasizing its dedication to promoting transparency and accountability in development projects. It underscored that the implicated parties must fulfill the stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for future participation in Bank-funded initiatives.