The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the management of a Chinese supermarket located in the Federal Capital Tarritory (FCT) over viral online report that Nigerians are not allowed to shop in the facility.
The supermarket is situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce, along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua road in Abuja, is acclaimed as a destination for Chinese cuisine and beverages.
When the officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission got to the location of the Chinese supermarket, it was met under locks and keys as the CCTV shows that the owner of the supermarket, one Miss Cindy and staff working there fled from the premises at about 9am on Monday morning .
The Director, Surveillance and Investigations in FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, while briefing journalists explained that the mission of the commission is in response to the video that went viral when consumers particularly Nigerian consumers, were allegedly being discriminated preventing access into a supermarket located in Nigeria here in Abuja.
She said, “the essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the contents of that viral video.
“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that as this morning this supermarket was opened and people were here.
“The CCTV footage also shows that at about 9a.m, two vehicles departed from these vital premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have our contact details.
“Now the summons of course since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection commission by Wednesday 11am, April 22nd, 2024.
“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed, if she fails to attend to this summons. The summons means that on entering into these premises, they must not gain access into it.
“The mandate of the commission under its power is to seal the premises until she comes to the commission, meaning that this place will remain locked until she appears before the commission and if she fails to voluntarily surrender to the summons that is when we will have issue on this,” he said.
The Assistant Facility Manager of Royal choice estate where the supermarket is situated, Sanusi Shuaibu, confirmed that the supermarket was rented out to a Chinese lady .
He said it is a residential supermarket for the immediate co-tenants in the estate and they sell only Chinese items but Nigerians have access there .
He said nobody has reported to them that they were turned back adding that it was misinformation that people are not allowed to buy things from the supermarket .
He said they don’t have the power to restrict their tenant’s movement as Ms Cindy is no where to be found .
