By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has debarred two Nigerian companies; Bluestream Systems and Device Limited and Beulah Universal Link Resources Limited, from any of its financed projects over alleged fraudulent practices on their bids.
It was noted that the companies were joint-bidders vying for the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project in Oyo State that was funded by the AfDB.
Upon discovery of infractions by the bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, which handles investigation into unfriendly practices, AfDB ordered the exclusion of both companies from any financed projects and other projects funded by both local and international banks.
“While participating in a tender for construction and rehabilitation of water reservoirs contracts, the companies misrepresented their qualifications for the contracts.
“The debarments render Beulah Universal Link Resources Limited and Bluestream Systems and Device Limited ineligible to participate in bank-financed projects during the respective debarment periods,” the bank disclosed in a statement.
Beulah Universal Link Resources was debarred for 36 months, while Bluestream Systems and Device Limited was sanctioned for 12 months, meaning that both will not be involved in the Oyo State urban water project.
“The 36-month debarment of Beulah Universal Link Resources Limited qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Debarment Decisions, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group,” it added.
This will not be the first time a Nigerian company will be debarred over fraudulent activities. In 2019, ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited was punished by AfDB for engaging in numerous fraudulent practices in bidding for a construction contract under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One in Nigeria (ATASP-1).
The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Abuharaira Labaran Gero, was also affected as the company was excluded from handling any AfDB project for 36 months.
