LookAtVietnam – Manufacturer Vedan, despite “killing” the Thi Vai river appears to have been awarded the title “Quality product for community health 2009”.

The certificate of award for Vedan Vietnam.

However, since the awards event, confusion continues between judges, winners and media as to who exactly won the title.

Vedan appeared to be named “Outstanding business in applying quality management systems” and “Top 100 quality products for community health” on October 11.

The award ceremony was aired live with the participation of government officials. In addition, Vedan was the programme sponsor - granting 100 million dong to flood victims in the central region.

However, the event has stirred up controversy as arguments over Vedan’s responsibility in polluting the Thi Vai river continue.

“We are astonished at this award for Vedan. We are sure that this company caused serious pollution for the community. It is absurd that Vedan was presented with the award for quality product for the health of the community,” said Nguyen Van Phung, vice chairman of the HCM City Farmers’ Association.

Phung questioned which criteria the organising board relied on to grant this award. The Farmers’ Associations of three provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai and HCM City have asked Vedan to compensate 4 trillion dong to farmers while the firm insists on paying only 25 billion.

Meanwhile, award organisers are now denying granting the award to Vedan.

Bui Van Quyen, the representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology in the south, the chief organizer, said that Vedan was among nominees but the company was not presented this award.

Quyen said that Vedan appeared several times in the award ceremony as the donor for flood victims, not an award winner.

Nguyen Thi Sinh, director of the Centre for Brand and Quality Development consulting, the co-organiser, said that her centre’s website made a mistake when it published information that Vedan’s products were awarded. In fact, Vedan’s products are not named in the list of winning products.

All of this must come as news to Vedan Vietnam who confirmed receiving the awards. In a press release on October 26, Vedan Vietnam’s general director Yang Kun Hsiang said it is normal for Vedan to participate in this event and Vedan won the awards.

Regarding its responsibility to the Thi Vai river, Vedan said that it publicly admitted its responsibility and it has cooperated with related agencies to solve the case.

“During its process of operation, a business cannot avoid ups and downs. Vedan has been paying for its mistakes. However, all activities of Vedan should not be criticised for that mistake,” said Yang Kun Hsiang.

The Ministry of Science and Technology’s southern representative Bui Van Quyen said that the goal of the above award is to encourage businesses to compete to raise product quality and competitiveness.

PV