The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices.
The sanctions are linked to irregularities in the 2018 procurement and contract process for Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project, an initiative designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households.
Breaches of Integrity
In its statement, the World Bank revealed that:
- Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, under the direction of Mr. Didam, misrepresented conflicts of interest in their bids.
- They accessed confidential tender information from public officials, a violation classified as fraudulent and collusive.
- Viva Atlantic falsified company experience records, submitted fake manufacturer authorization letters, and provided inducements to project officials—actions classified as corrupt practices.
These violations compromised the integrity of a program intended to assist Nigeria's most vulnerable populations.
Debarment and Compliance Measures
The 30-month debarment prohibits the companies and Mr. Didam from participating in any World Bank-financed projects during the specified period. This penalty extends to projects supported by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.
As part of their settlement agreements, the parties:
- Acknowledged their culpability.
- Committed to fulfilling compliance conditions, including corporate ethics training and enhanced internal integrity measures.
- Agreed to self-imposed restraints from bidding for World Bank contracts.
Mr. Didam is required to complete individual ethics training, while the companies must align their policies with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
Cooperation and Reduced Sanctions
The World Bank noted that the reduced debarment period reflects:
- The parties’ cooperation with the Bank’s investigations.
- Voluntary corrective actions.
- The passage of time since the infractions.
Reaffirming Accountability
The World Bank reiterated its commitment to transparency in development projects. The sanctions, it said, underline its zero-tolerance approach to corruption and emphasize the importance of maintaining integrity in initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable populations.
The implicated parties must fulfil all conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for future participation in World Bank-funded programs.
