World Bank Blacklists Six Firms In Nigeria Over Corruption

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August 20, 2019

World Bank Blacklists Six Firms In Nigeria Over Corruption

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.

Cristiano Ronaldo Admits To Something He Did To Rape Accuser

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Shalom Ekelaka

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August 20, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo Admits To Something He Did To Rape Accuser

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has admitted he paid his rape accuser Kathryn Mayorga the sum of $375,000 to settle the claim in 2010, TMZ reports.

The American model claimed Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009, but Ronaldo strongly denies the claims.

Las Vegas authorities announced last month, that there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the footballer.

Mayorga is pressing ahead with a civil case, but Ronaldo’s lawyers want to have it thrown out.

According to them, the claim was already settled with a payoff and confidentiality agreement in 2010.

In newly filed court documents, Ronaldo’s camp are said to acknowledge the $375,000 figure. They insist the payment was not an admission of guilt, but merely an effort to keep the story from public attention.

Mayorga’s lawyers now want the agreement thrown out.

Controversy As Akpabio’s Daughter Dies After Fatal Cosmetic Surgery

By

Shalom Ekelaka

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August 20, 2019

Controversy As Akpabio's Daughter Dies After Fatal Cosmetic Surgery

The death of an Abuja based businesswoman, Barr. Enobong Akpabio who died after complications from a body surgery at a private medical facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is now a subject of controversy.

According to reports, the medical and laser facility where the lady simply described as Eno performed the body enhancement surgery came under attack, after the hospital posted on its social media page, advertisement containing gory pictures of a successful surgical procedure which was mistaken as the picture of the deceased.

Infuriated by the pictures, friends and family of Eno, as well as followers of the page launched an attack on the hospital and expressed disappointment that instead of a statement of remorse about her death, the hospital resorted to using her pictures for advertisement.

But in a chat with The Guardian, the CEO, Grandville Medical and Laser, Dr. Ayo Aranmolate who is a plastic surgeon explained that Eno had surgery in his facility last week Thursday, but lost blood, which led to blood transfusion. He said during the blood transfusion, Eno reacted to the blood and the blood was stopped and sent to the blood bank for re-check.

Aranmolate said that he noticed that the deceased will need more monitoring and care, which necessitated her being transferred to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she died three days after her surgery. He observed that doctors do not have control over blood, as it is what the blood bank provides after the patient’s samples have been sent to the blood bank for cross-matching that is used.

Hausa, Yoruba clash puts Abeokuta Expressway on lock-down.

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concoursemedia

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August 18, 2019

Vehicles heading to Lagos from Sango in Ogun state and those moving to Abule-Egba from Oshodi and other parts of the state have been trapped.

According to preliminary reports, the clash which started on a small-scale yesterday was between Yoruba and Hausa traders at Oke-Odo market where food items are sold clashed over a yet to be known issue.

The situation reportedly escalated on Sunday morning when aggrieved traders started burning wares and make-shift tents.

Security operatives are currently trying to restore normalcy in the market.

Bala Elkana, police public relations officer in Lagos, told The Cable that the situation had been brought under control.

“It started as a fight between Hausa scavengers and some cultists known as Awawa boys that almost snowballed into ethnic crisis,” he said.

“Our timely intervention brought the situation under control and stopped the crisis from escalating. Normalcy has since been restored. Patrols are ongoing in the affected areas. No casualty figure available yet. We are investigating the cause of the fight.”

E-Nigeria

Black market petrol seller burnt to death

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concoursemedia

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August 18, 2019

A 20-year old woman, identified as Mary Agada, who sells petrol in small gallons, has been burnt to death, following sudden explosion.

The incident happened at Igbogor Community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Different accounts were given as to how the fire exploded.

Some eyewitnesses said it was caused by kerosene explosion while she was trying to lit her stove.

Another witness said she kept fuel in her kitchen and was pouring fuel to sell to a customer when she was gutted by fire from a lit stove.

The Nation

Liverpool Thrash Chelsea To Lift UEFA Super Cup

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Shalom Ekelaka

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August 15, 2019

Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, means they have now won more major honours than their North West rivals, Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s men won 5-4 on penalties in Istanbul, Turkey, after the match ended 2-2 after 120 minutes.

Olivier Giroud put the Blues in front, before Sadio Mane’s brace turned the game in Liverpool’s favour.

However, Jorginho forced the game to go into spot kicks, when he levelled from 12 yards.

Tammy Abraham then missed the final kick, as the Reds won.

Liverpool have now won 43 major honours, while United have a tally of 42.

Klopp’s team equalled the Red Devils, when they claimed their sixth Champions League title in May.

Manchester United Players Get Fresh Ban

By

Shalom Ekelaka

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August 15, 2019

Manchester United have been forced to prevent their players from stopping to sign autographs outside the club’s Carrington training ground, due to safety concerns, the UK Telegraph reports.

The club have become concerned about fans, who regularly converge near a blind bend at the junction of Sinderland Lane and Birch Road, which is close to the rear entrance of the training base.

Club chiefs have seen the number of fans increase this summer, due to the school holidays.

Groups of as many as 50 fans gather to get a glimpse of their heroes.

But the club feel the situation poses too great a safety risk to fans’ safety, while the large crowds also present issues for the local farms and residents.

And to prevent fans from standing near the entrance, United have erected a sign warning them from convening in a bid to get autogrpahs.

“Players are not permitted to stop and sign autographs due to danger on the road. No congregating,” it reads.