The World Bank has imposed a 30-month ban on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director, Norman Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices. These violations are tied to the 2018 procurement process under Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project, which was aimed at supporting vulnerable households.
In a statement issued on Monday, the World Bank revealed that the firms and their CEO misrepresented conflicts of interest, accessed confidential tender information, and falsified company records, including fake manufacturer authorization letters. These actions undermined the integrity of a program designed to assist Nigeria’s poorest citizens.
“The debarment is connected to fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project,” the statement read.
As part of the settlement, Didam and the companies admitted their misconduct and agreed to specific conditions to regain eligibility. These include completing ethics training, enhancing compliance policies, and implementing corporate integrity programs in line with World Bank guidelines.
The sanctions prevent the companies and Didam from participating in World Bank-funded projects during the debarment period. The penalties also qualify for cross-debarment by other global development banks under an agreement to enforce such decisions jointly.
The World Bank emphasized that the reduced debarment period reflects the parties’ cooperation, voluntary corrective actions, and restraint from bidding on contracts since the infractions occurred. It reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in its development initiatives, stressing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
