By Ochiaka Ugwu
The China General Chamber of Commerce has refuted the reports making the rounds that Nigerians were barred from accessing a Chinese Supermarket noting that the Chamber has no link with the superstore.
In a press statement in Abuja Monday signed by Secretary of the Chamber, Mr. Cui Guangzhang, it noted that the supermarket manager asserts that no individual was subjected to discrimination or denied access to the estate or supermarket to purchase groceries.
According to the statement, “The China General Chamber of Commerce has taken note of a widely circulated video alleging that a Chinese supermarket within the Royal Choice estate, Airport Road, Abuja denied access to Nigerians seeking to purchase groceries.
“In light of this concerning issue, we would like to clarify as follow: Royal Choice Estate comprises of an office complex and residential apartments, IT IS NOT A SUPERMARKET, the office complex accommodates various companies, including the China General Chamber of Commerce, the China General Chamber of Commerce and the supermarket are completely unrelated entities.
“The residential area of the estate consists of privately occupied residences. Access for external visitors must adhere to security protocols for safety reasons, the supermarket manager asserts that no individual was subjected to discrimination or denied access to the estate or supermarket to purchase groceries.
“The altercation at the estate’s entrance gate between the security personnel and a customer is regrettable and does not any way reflect the official position of the estate management.
“The China General Chamber of Commerce is an organization that believes in equality and inclusiveness. Our principles are to enhance friendship between the people of both countries and promote economic development”.
It stated that Seeing is believing and they welcome firsthand visits to witness the truth and hoping that mediums that earlier circulated it can remove the article about discrimination in Chinese shops and provide clarification on this matter based on this clear fact presented by the Chamber.
In a related development, the Shop owner, Liu Bei disowned the allegation of discrimination against Nigerians in his shop maintaining there was no discrimination against anybody.
He said that he even has several local employees working in the shop and have good relationship with them
