Reps Orders NCDC to Locate and Test Ugbe, Multichoice Boss for COVID-19

An House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee has ordered Dr. Ihekweazu Chikwe, director general of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to locate John Ugbe, chief executive officer of Multichoice -operators of DStv and GOtv, and test him for Coronavirus.

John Ugbe, chief executive officer of Multichoice

The committee is investigating non- implementation of the pay- as -you- go tariff plan by satellite broadcasters and DSTV subscription price increase.

Ugbe has allegedly failed to appear before the committee that had invited him on two occasions.

The Multichoice boss had issued a letter signed by Gozie Onumonon, head: Regulatory Affairs, for the CEO that he would not be able to appear before the committee based on ill-health.

The letter reads: “Because of the abundance of caution needed to be taken in line with the current pandemic, we believe it is necessary that the meeting be deferred until he has regained his health and is cleared by his medical doctor.”

The Committee passed the resolution on Wednesday asking NCDC to immediately commence contact-tracing of passengers in the plane with him, his staff and those he may have had contact with at the airport.

Unyime Idem, chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, who read the letter out to his colleagues however lamented had requested the postponement of the meeting earlier scheduled for July 17, citing pre-scheduled engagements with its shareholders, and so could not be available.

“We are here this morning pursuant to the resolution of the House of Representatives, mandating this Committee on the 17th March 2020, to investigate DSTV and other Cables TV in Nigeria on the non-implementation of the Pay as You Go”, he recalled with reference to specific directive of the House ask Multichoice certain questions.

Ruling on the motion after several contributions by members, the chairman directed the Clerk to communicate the decision to the director general of NCDC, to locate Ugbe and test him for COVID-19 and trace his contracts, where the need arises.