United States, Feb. 18 -- The World Bank Group announced the 15-month debarment of Ecuador-based Consultoria Tecnica Cia. Ltda. CONTEC ("CONTEC"), a civil engineering consultancy, in connection with fraudulent practices occurring under the Guayaquil Wastewater Management Project in Ecuador.The debarment makes CONTEC ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group. It is part of a settlement agreement under which the company admits culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices and agrees to meet specified integrity compliance conditions as a condition for release from debarment.The project sought to increase access to improved sanitation services and to reduce wastewater pollution...