By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The World Bank has barred 59 Nigerian companies and individuals for engaging in corrupt practices and other procurement offences.
This is according to a document recently released on its website, ‘World Bank Listing of Ineligible Firms and Individuals Notes on Debarred Firms and Individuals’.
Among those affected are 39 Nigerian companies previously debarred by the African Development Bank (AfDB), along with 19 individuals identified by the World Bank under the cross-debarment policy.
The World Bank lists updates every three hours and, at the time of this report, contained 1,210 companies and individuals globally.
The implication is that companies and individuals cannot apply for World Bank-funded projects.
The list includes firms and individuals with offices in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Delta, Kaduna, Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
The Washington-based bank barred AG Vision Construction Company, Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited, BestScan, Beulah Universal Link Resources Limited, Salilu Shehu Ahmad Tijani, Okafor Glory (Director of Unique Concepts Enterprises), China Zhonghao Nigeria Limited, Bamidele Obiniyi, and 51 others.