The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, and their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
The project, aimed at providing targeted financial assistance to vulnerable households, was compromised during a 2018 procurement process and subsequent contract award.
In a statement issued on Monday, the World Bank disclosed that the companies and Mr. Didam were found to have violated the institution’s Anti-corruption Framework.
The World Bank stated, “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.”
According to the World Bank, the companies and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and gained access to confidential tender information from public officials. These actions constituted fraudulent and collusive practices under the Bank’s policies.
The statement went on to note, “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.”
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In addition to their involvement in fraudulent bidding practices, the companies were found to have falsified records, including submitting fake manufacturer’s authorization letters, and offered bribes to public officials. These actions directly undermined the integrity of the project, which was meant to assist Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
The World Bank noted that the debarment prevents Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects for the duration of the 30-month period.
As part of the settlement agreements, the companies and Mr. Didam acknowledged their wrongdoings and committed to taking corrective actions, including enhancing their internal compliance policies.
The World Bank’s statement further clarified, “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.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Didam is required to complete individual ethics training, while the companies are mandated to improve their internal integrity compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training programs in line with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The World Bank’s decision to impose sanctions is part of its broader commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.
The Bank emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to corruption, with the statement concluding, “The World Bank is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all of its operations. These debarments send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated and that those who engage in unethical practices will be held accountable.”
The debarment may also be enforced by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, signed in April 2010, which allows cross-debarment between institutions. With this sanction, the World Bank has demonstrated its ongoing dedication to integrity and ethical conduct in all development projects.
