…Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited Banned from World Bank-Financed Projects
By Kekeboro Ebiere
The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam. This sanction follows findings of fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices connected to the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria
According to the World Bank, the companies and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their Letter of Bids and improperly accessed confidential tender information from public officials, constituting fraudulent and collusive practices. Additionally, Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam falsified the company’s experience records and submitted forged manufacturer’s authorization letters. They also provided inducements to public officials involved in the project, which qualified as corrupt practices.
The 30-month debarment bars Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam from participating in World Bank Group-financed projects and operations. As part of settlement agreements with the World Bank, all three parties acknowledged their culpability and agreed to stringent integrity compliance conditions as a prerequisite for being released from debarment.
“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 World Bank stated. “The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria”.
The National Social Safety Nets Project was established to enhance Nigeria’s social safety net systems by providing targeted financial transfers to poor and vulnerable households. However, investigations revealed serious breaches of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework in the 2018 procurement and subsequent contract processes involving Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam.