World Bank Debars Manitoba Hydro Consultant |
14 December 04 |
 The parent company of Manitoba Hydro's primary engineering consultant has been debarred by the World Bank. Acres International is now ineligible to receive any World Bank financed contracts for three years. The landmark Bank decision last July relates to a corruption scandal involving Africa's largest dam project, a project in which Acres was involved. In 2002 a Lesotho court found Acres guilty of bribing the head of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.The Lesotho court ordered Acres to pay a criminal fine of about CDN$3 million. Though there was controversy about the delay in paying the fine, Acres spokesperson John Ritchie told Manitoba Wildlands the company made its final payment on September 30 of this year. He says full payment was never a matter of intent, just timing. Acres Manitoba Ltd., wholly owned subsidiary of Acres International has been involved in seven hydroelectric dam projects in northern Manitoba, including its role as primary engineering consultant to Manitoba Hydro for the Wuskwatim Dam project. Acres also assisted with cost estimates and risk analysis for Wuskwatim. Last June Acres International was bought out by Mississauga-based Hatch Limited. View the International Rivers Network release View the World Bank release View the Bretton Woods Project release View the Globe and Mail article |
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