China’s Huafei faults sealing of restaurant by Nigerian government

A Chinese owned company, Huafei Nigeria Limited has faulted the sealing of its restaurant and business premises by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The Huafei Chinese Restaurant, which is located at Aboyade Cole Street in Victoria Island, Lagos state was sealed after it was accused of discrimination, refusal to serve Nigerians or rejection of business patronage.

The Media Consultant, Ikenna Emewu stated that the accusation was absolutely false and wrong.

Emewu lamented that the claim by the FCCPC is unfounded and just malicious to destroy the company’s business interest in Nigeria.

“For the records, prior to the punitive action, no operative of the agency, ever approached the management of the business for response in case it got any complaint about the business place.

“We think the most appropriate thing is that the FCCPC would have written or summoned us to defend whatever allegation against us before sealing up our business premises,” he noted.

He explained that the restaurant name Huafei, in Chinese means China-Africa, and it is also the business name of the operators of the restaurant. He further explained that the business owner, Mr. Liu Changan, popularly known in Nigeria as Chief Ronnie Liu, is one that has respect for Africans, Nigerians and all human beings, and has no discrimination intention against anybody.

According to him, the manager of the restaurant stated that some days ago, two Nigerians came to the restaurant and asked to be served, after handling them the menu they looked through it and left. “We concluded they possibly didn’t recognize the food or what to order.”

“We place it on record that we have Nigerian witnesses that have used the restaurant in the past. Moreover, Liu is a titled chief in Ogun State, which shows recognition of his closeness and fraternity with Nigerians.

Chie Liu has lived and done business in Lagos for at least 20 years with chains of businesses including supermarkets and has no history of discrimination against Nigerians.

Liu is chairman of the Chinese Investors in Nigeria, he is also the operator and General Manager of the China Town, a huge business plaza in Ojota Lagos where more Nigerians compared to Chinese own and operate shops.

The organization has in the past given scholarships to Nigerian students who study in China presently.