The World Bank has on Wednesday announced the sanctioning of SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. (SoftTech), a Nigerian Information Technology Solution company, and its Managing Director, Isah Kantigi for alleged corrupt practices in the National Social Safety Nets Project. The global financial institution suspended SoftTech for 50 months, while the MD got 60 months of debarment. In a statement titled "World Bank Group debars SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. And its Managing Director" on the bank's website, the bank said the firm and its MD were sanctioned for making improper payments to certain project officials.
The statement reads in part: "The World Bank Group today announced the 50-month debarment of SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., an information technology solutions company based in Nigeria, and the 60-month debarment of its managing director, in connection with corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
"The debarments make SoftTech and Mr Isah Kantigi, a Nigerian national, ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group."
The National Social Safety Nets Project "is designed to provide access to targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded national social safety nets system".
The US-based institution further said "The settlement agreements provide for reduced periods of debarment in light of Mr. Kantigi’s and SoftTech’s cooperation and acknowledgement of the misconduct. As conditions for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, Mr. Kantigi commits to undertaking corporate ethics training that demonstrate a commitment to personal integrity and business ethics, while SoftTech commits to implementing a code of conduct that reflects the relevant principles set out in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines and a corporate ethics training program.
"In addition, any affiliate that Mr. Kantigi or SoftTech controls, directly or indirectly, will be required to similarly implement a Code of Conduct and corporate ethics training program. Mr. Kantigi and the company also committed to continue to fully cooperate with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency."
