The World Bank has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Norman Didam, due to their involvement in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP).
The debarment prohibits the companies and Didam from participating in any World Bank Group-financed projects for the duration of the sanction. According to the World Bank, the decision follows an extensive investigation that uncovered serious breaches of its Anti-Corruption Framework during the procurement process for the NSSNP in 2018.
The NSSNP, aimed at improving Nigeria’s social safety net system by delivering targeted financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households, was marred by these illegal activities. The World Bank’s investigation revealed that both Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with Didam, engaged in fraudulent actions, including misrepresenting conflicts of interest in their bids. The companies also improperly obtained confidential tender information from public officials.
In addition to these misrepresentations, Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam were found to have falsified the company’s experience records and submitted forged manufacturer’s authorization letters as part of the procurement process. Furthermore, the companies and Didam were involved in offering bribes and other inducements to public officials overseeing the project.
These actions, the World Bank noted, directly violated the principles outlined in its Anti-Corruption Framework. In response to these violations, the World Bank imposed the 30-month debarment as a measure to hold the companies and individuals accountable for their misconduct.
As part of a settlement agreement, all parties involved have acknowledged their role in the corrupt activities. They have also committed to adhering to stringent integrity compliance conditions, which must be met for the debarment to be lifted at the end of the sanction period.
The World Bank’s decision underscores its ongoing commitment to combating corruption and ensuring the integrity of its financing operations, particularly in projects intended to assist vulnerable populations.
