The owner of an Abuja-based Chinese retail shop, Liu Bei under fire for allegedly barring Nigerians and limiting entry to Chinese nationals, vehemently denies claim of discrimination. In a statement issued in both Chinese and English languages on Tuesday, Liu Bei clarified that her establishment serves the local community at large, regardless of nationality.
Bei emphasized that her establishment is not a supermarket but rather a retail shop aimed at meeting essential needs. She expressed feeling intimidated by the presence of unfamiliar individuals outside her store and defended her practice of serving residents, workers, and visitors, irrespective of nationality.
The statement comes in response to a summon notice and the threat of sanctions issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Monday, following the sealing of her store. The controversy erupted after reports surfaced of a controversial policy restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals, sparking widespread condemnation and concerns over discriminatory treatment. Despite the backlash, Bei affirmed plans to downsize operations and eventually close the shop by December 2023.
Below is the statement by Bei:
The full statement reads: “I am Liu Bei. I saw PUNCH’s report about Chinese supermarkets not allowing Nigerians to shop.
“Now, there are many unfamiliar people outside my store, which makes me feel scared. I want to clarify some things.
“My shop is located in the Royal Choice Estate, Airport Road, Abuja. It is a small retail shop, not a supermarket like SHOPRITE. I primarily cater to community residents and workers. Occasionally, visitors come after visiting nearby offices, regardless of nationality.
“For undisclosed reasons, I downsized operations in December 2023 and plan to close eventually.
“I want to make it clear that I do not discriminate against Nigerians. I have local employees, and we have a good relationship. However, the community has safety requirements for visitors, limiting direct access.
“I regret the altercation between the security guard and a visitor in the video. Two Nigerians did visit my store that day, and I served them.”
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