The World Bank Group has suspended two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Norman Didam, for 30 months for fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project.
The World Bank announced on Monday that the project, which planned to give targeted financial support to poor and vulnerable households, was jeopardized by various unethical actions throughout the 2018 procurement and following contracting process.
The announcement continued, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and CEO, 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.”
The bank said that Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and obtained secret tender material from public authorities.
It further stated that these conduct were fraudulent and collusive practices under its Anti-Corruption Framework.
The World Bank further observed that Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam faked the company’s experience records, presented forged manufacturer authorization letters, and gave inducements to project authorities, all of which were classed as corrupt activities.
