By Stephen Simon
Traders at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos, have protested the alleged involvement of Chinese merchants in retail trading, accusing them of threatening the survival of indigenous businesses.
The traders, who protested on Monday, alleged that some Chinese businesses operating in the complex had moved beyond wholesale activities to selling directly to consumers, putting local retailers under increasing competitive pressure.
According to the protesters, Chinese businesses have access to goods directly from manufacturers in China, enabling them to offer prices which local retailers find difficult to match. They also alleged that some Chinese firms had rented shops and warehouses within the complex for direct sales.
The protesters called for an end to what they described as direct retail operations by Chinese merchants, with some displaying placards demanding that Chinese traders leave the market.
However, the protest was later suspended following intervention by the leadership of the Traders Association, local government officials and security agencies. The Secretary of the Traders Association in the complex, Juventus Okpala-Okaka, said the association had received complaints from youths and established a committee to investigate the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command described the incident as a minor protest and said the situation at the complex was peaceful. The Area E Commander, ACP Chike Oti, said there was no fight between Nigerian and Chinese traders, while officials of the market and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government also appealed for calm.
The dispute has renewed concerns about competition between foreign businesses and indigenous traders in Nigeria’s retail sector. The protesters have called for dialogue involving market leaders, Chinese businesses and relevant authorities to resolve the grievances, while reports said the allegations against individual Chinese businesses had not been independently verified.
