The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission has said the Abuja-based Chinese Supermarket labelled all its products in Yuan, which is against the law in Nigeria and constitutes a violation of Nigerian law.
The commission added that it’s still considering appropriate
sanctions to be meted out against the owner of the supermarket, Liu Bei, sealed
for not allowing Nigerians to shop at the facility.
The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Adamu
Abdullahi, confirmed this in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday.
He added that the owner has also been mandated to post an
open-to-all-customers notice.
Last Sunday, Nigerians expressed their displeasure on the
policy of the supermarket restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals,
excluding Nigerians from patronising the establishment.
This report sparked widespread condemnation as Nigerians
voiced their concerns over the discriminatory treatment.
He said, “Yes, she came to the commission in time and we
went to the supermarket with her, she opened it and the discoveries were just
enormous. The Chinese embassy and Chamber of Commerce were there represented.
“We discovered that all the products were labelled in Yuan
and that is the only currency they accept. That is against the law in Nigeria.
we don’t sell products in foreign currency. Everything sold in Nigeria should
be in its currency.
“And then the issue of discrimination that they only allow
into the supermarket has been confirmed and we have now instructed that she
must put up a notice in front of that shop that says everybody can go into the
supermarket and shop. Also the issue of Yuan and the display of prices. We are
discussing with her to put things right.”
The acting chairman said, “At the same time, we are also
discussing sanctions because a wrong has been done and bad behaviours lead to
consequences. So we would look at our law and find out what those consequences
are and apply them. There is a fine of N10m and then 10 per cent of last year’s
turnover for the company but we are still looking at the issues.”
Abduallhi also gave an update on enforcement compliance at
the 4u and Sahad stores. He disclosed that the companies involved have realised
their mistakes and have ensured 95 per cent compliance with the directives
given.
Speaking further, the FCCPC boss said the management of
multichoice has submitted a four-page letter to the commission explaining
reasons for the recent hike in the price of its products, beginning from May 1,
2024.
He said though the company remains a dominant provider of
cable television in the country, the commission will not hesitate to wield its
stick if the reasons are not justifiable.
He said, “Also yesterday, we got a four-page letter from
Multichoice telling us the reasons for the price increase. What we need to do
is bring in the Nigerian Communications Commission, the sector regulatory
agency and even the National Broadcasting Commission. we would look at the
variables that caused the rise, At a glance, I saw things like the cost of
electricity and, the cost of dollars for spare parts. We would go through these
items individually and find out how they have affected their operations.
“At the same time, they are not supposed to do so because
you are the only provider of the services in the market and abuse your dominant
position in the market. And if by chance we confirm that it is what they are
doing, we would go by the law and do what we are supposed to do.”
MultiChoice, a major satellite television service in
Sub-Saharan Africa based in South Africa, recently announced fresh increases in
prices on the DSTV and GOtv packages, saying the increase was necessitated by
the rise in the cost of business operations.
According to the company, the increment would take effect on
May 1, 2024.
The Premium package on DSTV which used to cost N29,500,
would now go for N37,000, while the Compact Plus which currently goes for
N19,800, has been increased to N25,000.
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