(Business in Cameroon) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced last September 20, it has excluded Geo Sciences International from companies eligible to submit calls for applications. The Yaoundé-based consulting firm will be banned for 48 months.

“An investigation conducted by the African Development Bank's Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption revealed that the consulting firm has engaged in numerous fraudulent practices, as part of a bidding process for consulting services for the Agroforestry Development Support Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the bank said in an official statement.

While applying for a tender for technical, biophysical and cartographic study services, “the company made false statements concerning its experience in conducting similar studies and the remuneration of its experts. In addition, Geo Sciences failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest.”

“During the exclusion period, the company will not be eligible for contracts financed by the African Development Bank. Under the agreement on the mutual application of exclusion orders, this sanction against Geo Sciences International can also be applied by the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank,” the AfDB said.

BRM