FCCPC confirms Abuja Chinese Supermarket denies Nigerians access, displays prices in Yen

The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has confirmed that the Chinese supermarket in Abuja earlier accused of denying Nigerians access to the shopping mall, was guilty of the act.

 

 

Besides, all products on display at the Chinese Supermarket are priced in Yen, the Chinese currency, buttressing the charge the supermarket bars Nigerians, even though the owner denies the accusation.

 

 

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 percent 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.

 

 

 

“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.”