Just In : FCCPC unseals Abuja Chinese supermarket
The owner of the Abuja-based Chinese Supermarket sealed for not allowing Nigerians into her store has appeared before a tribunal at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
Our correspondent gathered that Liu Bei in the company of her family and estate officials arrived at the commission headquarters located in Asokoro on Wednesday at 11 am to defend the allegation of discrimination against her.
The latest development followed a summons notice and threat of sanctions by the FCCPC on Monday after it sealed her store.
The PUNCH reported on Sunday that the supermarket had implemented a controversial policy restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals, excluding Nigerians from patronising the establishment.
This policy sparked widespread condemnation across various social media platforms as Nigerians voiced their concerns over the discriminatory treatment.
But the shop owner, in a statement sent to The PUNCH, refuted allegations that her store catered exclusively to a particular group, emphasizing that she served residents, workers, and visitors from the office building, irrespective of nationality.
Giving an update, the estate assistant facility manager, Sanusi Shuaibu, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, declared that the issue had been resolved and officials of the commission had unsealed the grocery store.
He said, “Yes, we went to the commission today and all the issues have been resolved. The owner of the supermarket was also present at the meeting with the officials. The owner tried to explain the situation and they allowed everyone involved to explain what really happened.”
“They also asked us to submit some documents, which we did and they also asked her (the owner) some questions. After the meeting, we left the commission and they came to unseal the supermarket.
“They also checked the products in the store and we provided answers to all the questions asked. The store is now open and the woman has returned to her shop.”
An official who works at the FCCPC also confirmed to our correspondent that the supermarket owner appeared at the meeting.
“I saw some persons including the Chinese woman at our office earlier today and a few hours later, our enforcement officers left the premises but I don’t know if they went to unseal the place or not,” the official said.