The World Bank Group has issued a 30-month ban on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and CEO, Norman Didam, for participating in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt conduct.
The punishments are the result of unethical acts during Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP). The project, which planned to provide financial help to needy households, was hampered during the 2018 procurement and contracting process.
A statement released on Monday, January 20, detailed the infractions: “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.”
The ban precludes the companies and their CEOs from participating in World Bank-funded projects for the term of the punishment. Reduced debarment durations were awarded based on their cooperation throughout the investigation, voluntary corrective steps, and time since the offenses.
The settlement deal requires Norman Didam to receive ethics training, while the corporations must tighten their compliance rules and implement corporate ethics systems that are consistent with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
According to the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, other multilateral development banks may cross-debar the debarments as well.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
