Green tree service provider’s ecosystem win more than 600 bidding packages: investigators

More than 50 subsidiaries of green tree service provider Cong Minh Green Tree Company won over 600 bidding packages across the country worth thousands of billions of VND (VND1 billion = $39,340), investigators say.

Colonel Nguyen Tuan Hung, deputy director of the Ministry of Public Security’s investigative security agency (A09), mentioned this finding at a press conference on Monday.

He said the agency had decided last May to investigate alleged violations of bidding regulations by the Cong Minh ecosystem, including the giving and taking of bribes.

With the investigation still underway, the agency has not launched legal proceedings against anyone, Hung said.

A09 has determined that Cong Minh Co. colluded with developers to participate in setting prices for bidding packages from the project-making and investment estimate stages, he said.

After the bidding price was fixed, Cong Minh Co. or other legal entities in its ecosystem participated in the tenders and made the winning bids.

Hung said A09 was investigating and clarifying the responsibilities of relevant individuals and determining damages to recover assets for the state.

It has requested concerned individuals to provide investigators with information and documents about alleged violations by Cong Minh Co. Anyone who conceals criminal actions will be punished according to regulations, Hung warned.

Previously, A09 had requested several localities to provide information, documents and records related to tree planting and care, as well as other urban beautification projects in the 2019-2023 period.

The localities approached included Ca Mau, Vinh Long, Bac Lieu, Dong Thap, Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Tra Vinh, Kien Giang, Dong Nai, Phu Yen, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh and Lai Chau.

A09 also requested localities to provide documents related to the project implementation process – from applying an investment policy and approving fund allocations at all levels to selecting contractors, signing contracts and monitoring project implementation.

They were also asked to supply all documents on bidding for tree planting and care projects; list of units and individuals under provincial and district administrations related to project implementation; as well as lists of contractors participating in bids and bids winners.

Monday’s press conference was held as part of a first half performance review by the Ministry of Public Security.