The owner of the Chinese supermarket in Abuja which allegedly denied entry to Nigerians has dismissed allegations of discrimination.
Recall that officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Monday raided the Chinese supermarket in Abuja, which allegedly prevents Nigerians from shopping from it.
The invasion follows the outrage from Nigerians on Sunday, who took to social media to condemn the management of the Abuja-based Chinese supermarket denying Nigerians entry into the facility.
It was gathered that the supermarket situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce, along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road in the Federal Capital Territory, is acclaimed as a destination for Chinese cuisine and beverages.
Surprisingly, entry into the supermarket, is said to be restricted exclusively to Chinese individuals.
Reacting, however, in a statement released in both Chinese and English languages, the owner of the said supermarket, Liu Bei, clarified that the establishment situated in Nigeria’s capital city is not a supermarket but rather a retail shop that aims to cater to the essential needs of the local community.
Liu Bei expressed her concerns about the presence of unfamiliar individuals in front of her store, stating that it makes her feel scared.
She further defends her establishment, stating that the Supermarket sells to residents, workers, and visitors who come to the store after visiting the office building, regardless of nationality.
Liu Bei stressed that the small retail shop is not a supermarket like other grocery stores and revealed plans to close the shop after downsizing operations in December 2023.
The statement responding to the PUNCH’s reports reads: “My name is Liu Bei. I watched PUNCH’s news about Chinese supermarkets not allowing Nigerians to enter for shopping.
“Now there are a lot of people in front of my store who I don’t know where they come from. I feel scared and I want to explain something.
“My shop is in the Royal Choice Estate, Airport Road, Abuja. It’s a small retail shop, not a supermarket like SHOPRITE. I mainly sell things to community residents and people who work here. Sometimes some visitors will come to my store to buy something after visiting the company In the office building, regardless of nationality.
“Since December 2023, I downsized the operations of my shop and have been planning to close.
“I don’t discriminate against any Nigerians. I even have several local employees in my store, and we have a good relationship. However, for safety reasons, the community has requirements for visitors, so not everyone can enter the community directly.
“I feel sorry for the altercation between the security guard and the visitor in the video. Two Nigerians did come to my store that day to buy something, and I sold to them.”
