By Lucy Adautin
An Abuja-based Chinese supermarket, previously embroiled in controversy over alleged discrimination against Nigerian shoppers, is currently closed following public outcry.
The discriminatory policy, which exclusively permitted entry to Chinese nationals while barring Nigerians, sparked outrage among locals earlier this Sunday.
Situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road, the supermarket gained recognition for its offerings of Chinese cuisine and beverages.
According to a statement from security personnel at the gate, the store’s management implemented the policy at the beginning of the year without providing any explanation. Prospective shoppers who were not of Chinese descent were reportedly turned away at the gate in adherence to the directive.
A guard, speaking anonymously, revealed, “Since January, they changed the policy and directed that no Nigerian is allowed to enter. People were allowed to come in throughout last year, but they said only Chinese individuals are allowed to shop here.”
The officer said, “For now, they (management) have stopped everything. The truth is that they are selling, but they said our people should stop coming. They said only Chinese individuals are allowed to shop here. The shop is only meant for Chinese people. People were allowed to come in throughout last year, but since January, they changed the policy and directed that no Nigerian is allowed to enter.
“We were not informed of any reason for the policy, but we have told them to remove all adverts from the Internet so that people would stop coming.”
Inside the grocery store, a variety of foreign and local goods were displayed, albeit without price tags. Attendees expressed surprise at our correspondent’s admittance, indicating that typically, individuals arriving by car were denied entry.
On Monday, a new set of security personnel allowed entry without interrogation, further adding to the confusion surrounding the situation.
Despite heavy security presence in the vicinity, attempts to gather information from passersby yielded no tangible insight into the circumstances behind the closure.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions regarding the supermarket’s discriminatory practices and sudden closure remain unanswered, leaving locals and observers alike puzzled by the developments.
