AfDB Debars Ethiopian Consulting Firm
The AfDB alleges fraudulent practices during a road tender.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced a 15-month debarment of Ethiopia-registered Beza Consulting Engineers PLC and its chairman and general manager, Gidey Gebrezgabher Gebremariam, effective from 21 August 2023.
The AfDB alleges the parties engaged in fraudulent practices during a tender for the provision of consultancy services for the Kapoeta-Boma-Raad Road Project, a component of the Transport Facilitation and Road Upgrading Studies of the Kampala-Juba-Addis Ababa-Djibouti Corridor Programme.
The debarment was announced on 31 August following an investigation conducted by the bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption. During the 15-month debarment period, Beza Consulting Engineers and its affiliates as well as Gebremariam will be ineligible to participate in AfDB-financed activities.
The bank states that upon expiry of the debarment period the parties will only be eligible to resume participation in AfDB-financed activities after implementing an integrity compliance programme consistent with its guidelines and undertaking accredited business ethics and integrity training.
The Kapoeta-Boma-Raad Road Project was aimed at developing infrastructure connecting Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Photo: AfDB HQ (Source: AfDB)
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