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The World Bank Group has announced the debarment of two Nigeria-based companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their chief executive, Norman Bwuruk Didam, for 30 months. 

The sanctions are in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices in the execution of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

The project, which aimed to provide access to targeted transfers to poor and vulnerable households, was marred by allegations of misconduct. 

According to the World Bank, Viva Atlantic, Technology House, and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest, received confidential tender information from public officials, and submitted falsified documents.

Specifically, the companies and Didam allegedly engaged in fraudulent and collusive practices, including misrepresenting Viva Atlantic’s experience and submitting falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters. They also offered and provided things of value to project public officials, constituting corrupt practices.

Specifically, the companies and Didam allegedly engaged in fraudulent and collusive practices, including misrepresenting Viva Atlantic’s experience and submitting falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters. They also offered and provided things of value to project public officials, constituting corrupt practices.

As a result of the debarment, the two companies and Didam are precluded from participating in World Bank Group-financed projects and operations. 

However, as part of their settlement agreements, they have acknowledged culpability and agreed to meet specified integrity compliance conditions.

These conditions include completing individual corporate ethics training, enhancing internal integrity compliance policies, and implementing corporate ethics training programs. The companies have also committed to continuing to cooperate with the World Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.

The reduced debarment periods were granted due to the companies’ and Didam’s cooperation with the investigation, voluntary corrective actions, and voluntary restraint from participating in World Bank Group tenders. 

The debarments qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions signed on April 9th, 2010.

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