World Bank Bans Two Nigerian Companies From Operation Over Alleged Fraud

The World Bank has announced a 30-month debarment affecting two Nigerian firms, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Norman Didam, due to alleged corrupt activities.

Naijaonpoint understands that this declaration prohibits Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam from engaging in any projects or operations financed by the World Bank Group during this period.

According to a statement from the Washington-based institution, the sanctions are a result of findings related to fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices associated with the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria.

The NSSNP was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social safety net systems by delivering targeted financial assistance to impoverished and vulnerable households.

However, the World Bank’s investigations uncovered significant violations of its Anti-Corruption Framework during the procurement and contract processes in 2018 involving Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam.

The World Bank reported that the companies and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bidding documents and improperly obtained confidential tender information from public officials, which constitutes fraudulent and collusive behavior.

Additionally, it was found that Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam had falsified the company’s experience records and submitted counterfeit manufacturer’s authorization letters. They also provided incentives to public officials associated with the project, which amounted to corrupt practices.

These actions were deemed to be in direct violation of the principles set forth in the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework, leading to the imposition of sanctions.

The statement reads: “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 alleged fraudulent, collusive and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

“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 authorisation letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”

According to the statement regarding the settlement agreements with the World Bank, all three parties recognized their responsibility and consented to rigorous integrity compliance requirements as a condition for their release from debarment.