Two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, have been disbarred by the World Bank Group for 30 months due to their involvement in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria.
The World Bank also announced the immediate disbarment of Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of both companies.
Established on May 7, 2013, and headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, Viva Atlantic Limited operates as a consulting organization specializing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), while Technology House Limited serves as a wholesaler, retailer, and systems integrator of consumer electronics and IT solutions.
As participants in the World Bank-funded initiative aimed at improving social welfare for vulnerable groups in Nigeria, Viva Atlantic and Technology House Limited engaged in procurement and contracting processes related to the NSSNP in 2018.
The report stated that Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, constituting fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively.
The Washington-based bank said, “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 fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.”
Additionally, Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam misrepresented the company’s experience, submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, and offered items of value to project public officials.
The World Bank stated these actions “were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”
“The debarment precludes the two companies and Mr. Didam from participating in Bank Group-financed projects and operations,” the bank added.
The Washington-based bank explained that as part of settlement agreements, the companies and Didam admitted their culpability and agreed to meet specified integrity compliance conditions to be released from debarment.
Highlighting part of the agreement, the World Bank said, “Mr. Didam must complete individual corporate ethics training, and the two companies must enhance their internal integrity compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training programs, all of which must reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines.”
The bank also noted that the settlement agreements included reduced debarment periods due to the companies’ and Mr. Didam’s cooperation with the investigation, voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed restraint from participating in Bank Group tenders, and the passage of time.