The World Bank Group has announced a 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices. The violations are linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project, an initiative designed to provide financial support to Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable households.
In a statement issued Monday, the World Bank revealed that unethical practices during a 2018 procurement and contract process compromised the integrity of the project. According to the Bank, the companies and Mr. Didam misrepresented conflicts of interest in their bids and obtained confidential tender information from public officials. Additionally, Viva Atlantic Limited falsified experience records, submitted fake manufacturer authorization letters, and offered inducements to project officials, actions classified as fraudulent and corrupt under the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework.
“These actions undermined the integrity of a vital social safety net initiative intended to benefit Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations,” the World Bank stated.
Settlement Terms and Compliance Measures
The debarment bars Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects for 30 months. As part of settlement agreements, the parties acknowledged their culpability and agreed to implement compliance measures. Mr. Didam is required to complete ethics training, while the companies must enhance their internal compliance policies and provide corporate ethics training for employees in line with the Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The Bank noted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during investigations, voluntary corrective actions, and the time elapsed since the infractions. The debarments are also eligible for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.
Commitment to Transparency
The World Bank emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in development projects. “These sanctions demonstrate our commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in development initiatives,” the statement read.
The National Social Safety Nets Project, compromised by these violations, was aimed at improving the livelihoods of Nigeria’s most at-risk populations, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the integrity of such programs.
