Nigerian traders petition Chinese embassy over $218,280 failed order
A group of Nigerians, who conducted business with a Chinese company, Plusp Group of Companies Ltd., based in Lanshan District, Linyin Sahadan, China, has petitioned the Chinese Embassy, seeking a refund of $218,280 due to an alleged breach of trade agreement.
The group claims that the amount was paid to the company in China for the supply of certain products to Nigeria five years ago, but the products had yet to be delivered.
The group of businessmen, under the aegis of Amalsco Industries, stated that while in China, they entered into a trade agreement with an agent of Plusp Group of Companies, Mr. Zhu, on January 7, 2018.
They said despite paying $218,280, the products they ordered had yet to be delivered five years after.
The petition, signed by the Nigerian Business Group’s linkman, Alhaji Ibrahim Inuwa, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, emphasised that this was not the first time they had conducted business in China.
“This is not the first time we are doing business in China, and it was always successful without any hitches. But this company, Plusp Group of Companies, changed the narrative five years ago,” the petition read.
According to the businessmen, they visited China more than three times regarding the matter, but the company kept promising to supply the products.
“To date, however, nothing has been delivered, and Mr. Zhu is no longer responding to their calls.
“That is why we have petitioned the Chinese Embassy through the Commercial Affairs of China here in Nigeria and also petitioned the Nigerian Embassy in China, for them to jointly trace the company and either compel them to supply us with our goods or refund our money,” Inuwa said.
Inuwa explained that they also sent a copy of the petition to the Kano Council of Traders and Entrepreneurs Union, seeking its assistance in recovering the money since the $218,280 belongs to the group.
“We have always enjoyed an excellent trade relationship with China and have never been betrayed before. Our business dealings have always been smooth until we entered into this trade agreement with the company through their agent, Mr. Zhu,” he stated.
“We hope that the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese government will intervene in this matter to safeguard their hard-earned integrity and image by tracing and compelling the company to refund our money. We have all the documents related to the agreement.”
The traders also appealed to the Nigerian Embassy in China to collaborate with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to ensure that they get their money back, promising to provide all the necessary documents related to the matter if required.
