The World Bank has enforced a 30-months debarment on two Nigerian companies: Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Man
The World Bank has enforced a 30-months debarment on two Nigerian companies: Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Norman Bwuruk Didam.
This was revealed via a statement at the headquarters of the international agency in Washington District of Columbia (DC), United States (US), on Monday, January 20.
World Bank noted that the sanctions were imposed due to fraudulent, collusive and corrupt activities related to the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria.
The statement read, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies which are Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited with 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 NSSNP was created to improve Nigeria’s social safety net systems by offering targeted financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households.
However, investigations uncovered significant violations of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework during the 2018 procurement and subsequent contract processes involving Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited and Didam.
The World Bank stated that the companies and Didam falsely disclosed a conflict of interest in their Letter of Bids and unlawfully obtained confidential tender information from public officials, engaging in fraudulent and collusive activities.
Additionally, Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam falsified the company’s experience records and submitted counterfeit manufacturer’s authorization letters.
They also offered bribes to public officials involved in the project, which amounted to corrupt practices.
These violations directly violated the principles set forth in the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, leading to the sanctions.
Adding that, “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.”