FCCPC confirms Abuja Chinese Supermarket bars Nigerians, may be fined up to N10m
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
All products on display at the Chinese Supermarket in Abuja currently in the eye or the storm are priced in Yen, the Chinese currency, buttressing the charge the supermarket bars Nigerians, even though the owner denies the accusation.
Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Executive Vice Chairman Adamu Abdullahi made the discloure on Channels Television on Sunday and insisted the supermarket policy is against Nigerian law.
Abdullahi said
- The FCCPC has confirmed the supermarket indeed bars Nigerians from shopping there, but the owner, Liu Bei, has been directed to put things right by posting an open-to-all-customers notice.
- Liu broke Nigerian law and appropriate sanctions are still being considered, which may be a fine of up to N10 million and 10 per cent of last year’s turnover.
News broke on April 21 of the policy of the supermarket restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals, a report that sparked widespread condemnation as Nigerians voiced their concerns over the treatment – even though that mirrors the way the Nigerian state itself treats citizens with disregard.
“Yes, she [Liu] came to the Commission in time and we went to the supermarket with her, she opened it and the discoveries were just enormous,” Abdullahi recounted.
“Officials of the Chinese embassy and Chamber of Commerce were there represented [at the meeting].
“We discovered that all the products were labelled in Yen and that is the only currency they accept.
“That is against the law in Nigeria. We don’t sell products in foreign currency. Everything sold in Nigeria should be in its currency.
“And then the issue of discrimination that they only allow [Chinese] into the supermarket has been confirmed and we have now instructed that she must put up a notice in front of that shop that says everybody can go into the supermarket and shop.
“Also the issue of Yen and the display of prices. We are discussing with her to put things right.”
“At the same time, we are also discussing sanctions because a wrong has been done and bad behaviour lead to consequences.
“So we would look at our law and find out what those consequences are and apply them.
“There is a fine of N10 million and then 10 per cent of last year’s turnover for the company but we are still looking at the issues.”
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