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Investigation Finds World Bank Failed to Police Abuse at Kenyan Schools
The World Bank’s internal watchdog on Thursday criticized the organization’s handling and oversight of its investment in a chain of Kenyan schools that were subject to an internal investigation after allegations that students were abused.
The investigation, which started in 2020, has consumed World Bank officials and shareholders in recent months and led to scrutiny of its investment arm, the International Finance Corporation, which invested in the educational project a decade ago.
Countries that make up the board of the I.F.C. have been debating how to compensate victims of the abuse. While the scandal predates the tenure of Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new president, it has emerged as one of the first tests of his management.
Mr. Banga will be responsible for directing any changes related to how the bank invests in private-sector projects. He has already faced criticism for appearing to be dismissive of suggestions that the I.F.C. was interfering in the investigation, and U.S. lawmakers have told him that the bank’s future funding could hinge on his handling of the matter.
The watchdog report, published by the World Bank’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman, concluded that the I.F.C. “did not consider the project’s potential child sexual abuse risks or consider the capacity of its client to satisfy environmental and social requirements in relation to child sexual abuse risks and impacts.”
The World Bank held a $13 million stake in Bridge International Academies from 2013 to 2022. It divested from the program after complaints of sexual abuse at the schools, which led to internal investigations about the episodes and a review of how its investment arm oversees such programs.
The report, referring to Bridge International Academies, added that the “I.F.C. failed to regularly monitor or substantively address project-related child sexual abuse and gender-based violence risks and impacts with its client.”
It went on to recommend that the victims of the abuse receive financial compensation.
However, a management “action plan” that the board of the I.F.C. had agreed upon did not fully heed those recommendations. Instead, the plan said that it would “directly fund a remediation program for survivors of child sexual abuse” for up to 10 years. The plan would pay an unspecified amount of money for psychological support and adolescent sexual and reproductive health services.
The decision over whether to directly compensate the victims was the subject of intense internal debate among board members, with some arguing that the bank should not be taking such direct financial responsibility for what happened at the program.
In an email to the staff of the World Bank that was sent on Wednesday night, Mr. Banga, who was not at the helm during the period of abuse, acknowledged that mistakes were made in the handling of the program and the investigation and was contrite.
“I am sorry for the trauma these children experienced, committed to supporting the survivors and determined to ensure we do better going forward,” Mr. Banga wrote.
Acknowledging concerns about the integrity of the investigation, Mr. Banga added that he would appoint an outside investigator to ensure that the previous investigation was free of interference.
“We should have responded earlier and more aggressively,” he said. “This is a difficult moment for our institution, but it must be a moment of introspection.”
Human rights groups and civil society organizations have been critical of the proposed action plans, arguing that they do not go far enough to compensate victims.
On Thursday, they continued to lament the lack of direct financial support in the action plan, which proposes to pay for counseling services and health support for the victims.
“I.F.C.’s action plan fails to do the one thing that is required of it: provide remedy to the Bridge survivors,” said David Pred, the executive director of the human rights group Inclusive Development International.
In recent days, U.S. lawmakers have also been urging the Treasury Department, which helped steer Mr. Banga’s nomination to lead the bank, to press for more to be done and to reject the action plan.
“I’m concerned that failing to provide direct and meaningful compensation will not only harm the survivors and their families, but it will also harm the reputation of the I.F.C., which has a critical mission around the world, and that of the United States as its largest shareholder,” Representative Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen on Wednesday.
The Treasury Department, which had pushed for the victims to be compensated, said in a statement on Thursday that it accepted the findings of the report. However, it suggested that the survivors should be consulted as the I.F.C. determines how best to compensate them.
CREDIT: THE NEW YORK TIMES
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) took action yesterday by shutting down offices of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) nationwide.
This protest was sparked by the recent increase in electricity tariffs by NERC and the DisCos, with the unions demanding a complete reversal of the hike and the reclamation of public electricity assets.
During the protest at NERC headquarters in Abuja, workers displayed placards bearing messages such as “We are not a generator Republic” and “Let the poor breathe. Give us affordable and constant light,” indicating their frustration with the current state of the power sector.
NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, criticized the privatization efforts as a failure and called for a reversal of the tariff increases. He emphasized the disproportionate impact on wage earners who cannot adjust their income to offset rising utility costs, unlike business owners.
Ajaero also highlighted the adverse effects on small and medium-sized enterprises, crucial to Nigeria’s informal economy, exacerbating the unemployment crisis.
The labour center reiterated its rejection of the recent tariff hike and urged the government to honor previous agreements, including a halt to further increases until specific conditions are met.
In response, NERC chairman, Sanusi Garba, acknowledged the peaceful nature of the protest and assured consideration of concerns regarding tariff affordability and energy source diversification.
Meanwhile, the NLC and TUC picketed the headquarters of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) in Plateau State, the offices of NERC and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Ebonyi State, and the headquarters of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Ondo State.
Similar protests occurred in Bayelsa, Adamawa, Osun, Kebbi, and Ekiti States, demonstrating widespread discontent with the electricity tariff hike across the country.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has sworn in Alhaji Falalu Bawale as the state’s new Head of Service.
The Katsina Governor also swore in the immediate past Head of Service, Usman Isiyaku, as Special Adviser on Public Service Reforms and member of the State Executive Council.
Addressing the audience at the swearing-in ceremony after administering the oath of office and oath of allegiance to the appointees at the Katsina Government House Chamber, Governor Radda stated that both the new Head of Service and the Special Adviser were appointed on merit.
He called on all the permanent secretaries to join hands with the new head of service to enable them deliver for the progress of the state.
According to the Katsina Governor, the major challenge facing the incumbent administration was the issue of time, as the state government had a lot to cover.
Turning to the Special Adviser, Governor Radda described him as a committed and trustworthy personality, which prompted the state administration to retain him to enjoy more from his vast experience.
CREDIT: DAILY POST
Reportedly, on Monday, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly raided a high court located in Ilaro, Ogun State, and apprehended two defendants.
The individuals in question, Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero, were involved in proceedings related to suit No HCP/IC/2023, titled “The State vs Awode Oladosu & 13 others,” presided over by Justice A.A. Shobayo. The case centered on allegations of arson brought forth by one Akeem Adigun (aka Socopao), implicating Alhaji Isiaka Fatai, Oyero, and twelve others.
Recall that Agosasa recently experienced turmoil, with significant property damage amounting to billions of naira and loss of life due to a chieftaincy dispute in the town.
In a statement from the legal representative of Alhaji Isiaka, Kehinde Bamiwola Esq, it was alleged that the DSS operatives employed force against the two individuals, with Alhaji Isiaka Fatai reportedly subjected to physical assault, including beatings and rough handling.
Confirming the incident, the Principal Registrar of the High Court and Sectional Head of High Court, Ilaro, Comrade Omololu Olusanya, expressed shock and condemned the disregard for the rule of law displayed by the operatives. He highlighted that despite the judge’s directive against making arrests within the court premises, the operatives proceeded with the arrest.
“They approached the judge before the court session began. The honorable judge advised them that if they wanted to make an arrest, it must not be done within the court premises,” he stated. “They could stay outside and do whatever they wanted, but they refused that advice and carried out the arrest within the premises.”
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