REPORTS - World Bank blacklists six Chinese firms in Nigeria

The World Bank has blacklisted six Chinese companies currently operating in Nigeria over alleged fraud and corruption.

The companies , according to an announcement published on the World Bank ’ s website , are CCECC Nigeria Railway Company Limited , CRCC Petroleum and Gas Company Limited and CCECC Nigeria Company Limited .

Others are China Railway Construction ( International) Nigeria Company Limited , China Railway 18th Bureau Nigeria Engineering Company Limited and CCECC Nigeria Lekki ( FTA) Company Limited .

The six companies were among several firms from different parts of the world that were sanctioned by the bank .

The publication, which emanated from the procurement unit of the bank , was entitled ‘ Procurement – World Bank Listing of Ineligible Firms and Individuals ’ .

The companies, which were accused of violating the global bank ’ s procurement guidelines, would not be eligible to be awarded any World Bank contracts between June 4 , 2019 and March 3 , 2020 .

Companies involved in World Bank projects including contracts are obliged to adhere strictly to the guidelines, which stipulate a high level of ethics and frowns on all manner of fraud and corruption including bribery and misappropriation of funds .

Although the specific cases involving the blacklisted companies were not disclosed, the World Bank explained that the firms were given an opportunity to respond to allegations brought against them .

The bank said , “ The firms and individuals listed below are ineligible to be awarded a World Bank -financed contract for the periods indicated because they have been sanctioned under the bank ’ s fraud and corruption policy as set forth in the Procurement Guidelines and the Consultant Guidelines ( for projects before July 1 , 2016 ); or through the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing Borrowers ( for projects after July 1 , 2016 ) .

“ Such sanction was imposed as the result of ( 1 ) an administrative process conducted by the Bank that permitted the accused firms and individuals to respond to the allegations .

“ Through July 2007 , this process was conducted in accordance with the Sanctions Committee Procedures adopted on August 2 , 2001 .

“ The process is currently conducted in accordance with bank Procedure: Sanctions Proceedings and Settlements in the Bank Financed Projects . ”

It further disclosed that some of the firms were sanctioned as a result of cross -debarment in accordance with the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions dated 9 April 2010 .

As of July 1 , 2011 , the decisions had been made effective by the World Bank , Asian Development Bank , European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , Inter-American Development Bank , and African Development Bank .

The World Bank added that it might apply other actions to firms and individuals that might not result in debarment .

The period of ineligibility of any of the sanctioned companies also extends to any firm directly or indirectly controlled by them , according to the World Bank .

Efforts to get specific details of the allegations tabled against the six Chinese companies were not successful as of the time of filing this report .

In response to enquiries , an official of the World Bank ’ s Nigeria office in Abuja , who did not wish to be named , simply referred our correspondent to the bank ’ s website .

SOURCE via Punchng