Group Flays Reps For Abandoning Probe Of MultiChoice Monopoly

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has lamented the monopoly of the South African digital satellite television company, MultiChoice in the operation of digital satellite television in the country and the failure of the House of Representatives in concluding its probe into the issue.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko also condemned the recent increase in the prices of the cable company’s DStv and GOtv packages in Nigeria and with it, unfair trade practices it has foisted on the Nigerian market.

Onwubiko in a statement said that though the House of Representatives initiated a probe into the monopoly of Multichoice in the country, he said that the legislators have abandoned the issue.

Onwubiko said: 

“The recent hike in prices of Multichoice’s DStv and GOtv packages in Nigeria is outrageous and should be reversed with immediate alacrity before the April 1, 2022 commencement date for the new price regime.

“It is no longer news that Multichoice has consistently exploited billions of dollars from Nigerians in the last three decades since its operations in Nigeria in 1993.

“The South African company has also used unfair competitive strategies to force indigenous Nigerian competitors to close shop. The case of cable television firm, Telcomm Satellite TV, is still fresh in mind.

“The Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, TStv Africa, Bright Echefu, had said that the company which announced the commencement of its operations on November 1, 2017, faced severe battle from other operators in the industry. The company is nowhere to be found now because of Multichoice unfair tactics.

“Also, Multichoice has been allegedly colluding with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest workers of indigenous Nigerian competitors, including officials of Communication Trends Limited. This must be stopped.

Why is it that only DStv currently broadcasts major football competitions in Nigeria, especially the English Premier League? Why hasn’t the Federal Government ended the monopoly enjoyed by MultiChoice, despite the many rhetoric of the government to protect indigenous Nigerian businesses?

“It is worrisome that though the government said it had amended Nigeria’s broadcasting code to prevent DStv and others from monopolising their channels and contents, the ugly trend still persists.

“In June 2020, the House of Representatives had said it was probing DStv for allegedly cheating its Nigerian subscribers by restricting them to prepaid plans and increasing its subscription rates despite the lockdown but nothing came out of the investigation as Nigerians are still being outrageously exploited.

“Even StarTimes, the cable arm of the Nigerian Television Authority, has been stifled due to Multichoice aggressive monopoly which the government and lawmakers tolerate. This must stop. Nigerians are entitled to jobs and should be allowed to flourish in their own country.”

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