diff --git a/services/GithubService.js b/services/GithubService.js
index cfef8a2..89b05e0 100644
--- a/services/GithubService.js
+++ b/services/GithubService.js
@@ -22,6 +22,19 @@ const copilotUserSchema = Joi.object().keys({
   topcoderUsername: Joi.string()
 }).required();
 
+/**
+ * parse the repository name and repoFullName owner
+ * @param {String} fullName the full repository name
+ * @returns {Object} the parsed data
+ * @private
+ */
+function _parseRepoUrl(fullName) {
+  const results = fullName.split('/');
+  const repo = results[results.length - 1];
+  const owner = _(results).slice(0, results.length - 1).join('/');
+  return {owner, repo};
+}
+
 /**
  * authenticate the github using access token
  * @param {String} accessToken the access token of copilot
@@ -79,14 +92,14 @@ async function _getUsernameById(github, id) {
 /**
  * updates the title of github issue
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {string} title new title
  */
-async function updateIssue(copilot, repo, number, title) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, title}, updateIssue.schema);
+async function updateIssue(copilot, repoFullName, number, title) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, title}, updateIssue.schema);
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   try {
     await github.issues.edit({owner, repo, number, title});
   } catch (err) {
@@ -97,7 +110,7 @@ async function updateIssue(copilot, repo, number, title) {
 
 updateIssue.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   title: Joi.string().required()
 };
@@ -105,14 +118,14 @@ updateIssue.schema = {
 /**
  * Assigns the issue to user
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {string} user the user login of assignee
  */
-async function assignUser(copilot, repo, number, user) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, user}, assignUser.schema);
+async function assignUser(copilot, repoFullName, number, user) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, user}, assignUser.schema);
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   try {
     const issue = await github.issues.get({owner, repo, number});
 
@@ -129,7 +142,7 @@ async function assignUser(copilot, repo, number, user) {
 
 assignUser.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   user: Joi.string().required()
 };
@@ -137,15 +150,15 @@ assignUser.schema = {
 /**
  * Removes an assignee from the issue
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {string} user the user login of assignee
  */
-async function removeAssign(copilot, repo, number, user) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, user}, removeAssign.schema);
+async function removeAssign(copilot, repoFullName, number, user) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, user}, removeAssign.schema);
 
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   await _removeAssignees(github, owner, repo, number, [user]);
   logger.debug(`Github user ${user} is unassigned from issue number ${number}`);
 }
@@ -155,15 +168,15 @@ removeAssign.schema = assignUser.schema;
 /**
  * creates the comments on github issue
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {string} body the comment body text
  */
-async function createComment(copilot, repo, number, body) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, body}, createComment.schema);
+async function createComment(copilot, repoFullName, number, body) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, body}, createComment.schema);
 
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   try {
     await github.issues.createComment({owner, repo, number, body});
   } catch (err) {
@@ -174,7 +187,7 @@ async function createComment(copilot, repo, number, body) {
 
 createComment.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   body: Joi.string().required()
 };
@@ -218,14 +231,14 @@ getUserIdByLogin.schema = {
 /**
  * updates the github issue as paid and fix accepted
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {Number} challengeId the challenge id
  */
-async function markIssueAsPaid(copilot, repo, number, challengeId) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, challengeId}, markIssueAsPaid.schema);
+async function markIssueAsPaid(copilot, repoFullName, number, challengeId) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, challengeId}, markIssueAsPaid.schema);
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   const labels = [config.PAID_ISSUE_LABEL, config.FIX_ACCEPTED_ISSUE_LABEL];
   try {
     await github.issues.edit({owner, repo, number, labels});
@@ -239,7 +252,7 @@ async function markIssueAsPaid(copilot, repo, number, challengeId) {
 
 markIssueAsPaid.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   challengeId: Joi.number().positive().required()
 };
@@ -247,14 +260,14 @@ markIssueAsPaid.schema = {
 /**
  * change the state of github issue
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {string} state new state
  */
-async function changeState(copilot, repo, number, state) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, state}, changeState.schema);
+async function changeState(copilot, repoFullName, number, state) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, state}, changeState.schema);
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   try {
     await github.issues.edit({owner, repo, number, state});
   } catch (err) {
@@ -265,7 +278,7 @@ async function changeState(copilot, repo, number, state) {
 
 changeState.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   state: Joi.string().required()
 };
@@ -273,14 +286,14 @@ changeState.schema = {
 /**
  * updates the github issue with new labels
  * @param {Object} copilot the copilot
- * @param {string} repo the repository
+ * @param {string} repoFullName the repository
  * @param {Number} number the issue number
  * @param {Number} labels the challenge id
  */
-async function addLabels(copilot, repo, number, labels) {
-  Joi.attempt({copilot, repo, number, labels}, addLabels.schema);
+async function addLabels(copilot, repoFullName, number, labels) {
+  Joi.attempt({copilot, repoFullName, number, labels}, addLabels.schema);
   const github = await _authenticate(copilot.accessToken);
-  const owner = await _getUsernameById(github, copilot.userProviderId);
+  const {owner, repo} = _parseRepoUrl(repoFullName);
   try {
     await github.issues.edit({owner, repo, number, labels});
   } catch (err) {
@@ -291,7 +304,7 @@ async function addLabels(copilot, repo, number, labels) {
 
 addLabels.schema = {
   copilot: copilotUserSchema,
-  repo: Joi.string().required(),
+  repoFullName: Joi.string().required(),
   number: Joi.number().required(),
   labels: Joi.array().items(Joi.string()).required()
 };
diff --git a/services/IssueService.js b/services/IssueService.js
index a802833..c45e67c 100755
--- a/services/IssueService.js
+++ b/services/IssueService.js
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ async function handleEventGracefully(event, issue, err) {
     // reschedule event
     if (event.retryCount <= config.RETRY_COUNT) {
       logger.debug('Scheduling event for next retry');
-      const newEvent = { ...event };
+      const newEvent = {...event};
       newEvent.retryCount += 1;
       delete newEvent.copilot;
       setTimeout(async () => {
@@ -74,27 +74,29 @@ async function handleEventGracefully(event, issue, err) {
         logger.debug('The event is scheduled for retry');
       }, config.RETRY_INTERVAL);
     }
-    let comment = `[${err.statusCode}]: ${err.message}`;
-    if (event.event === 'issue.closed' && event.paymentSuccessful === false) {
-      comment = `Payment failed: ${comment}`;
-    }
+
     if (event.retryCount === config.RETRY_COUNT) {
+      let comment = `[${err.statusCode}]: ${err.message}`;
+      if (event.event === 'issue.closed' && event.paymentSuccessful === false) {
+        comment = `Payment failed: ${comment}`;
+      }
       // notify error in git host
       if (event.provider === 'github') {
-        await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, comment);
+        await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, comment);
       } else {
         await gitlabService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, comment);
       }
-    }
-    if (event.event === 'issue.closed') {
-      // reopen
-      await reOpenIssue(event, issue);
-      // ensure label is ready for review
-      const readyForReviewLabels = [config.READY_FOR_REVIEW_ISSUE_LABEL];
-      if (event.provider === 'github') {
-        await gitHubService.addLabels(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, readyForReviewLabels);
-      } else {
-        await gitlabService.addLabels(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, readyForReviewLabels);
+
+      if (event.event === 'issue.closed') {
+        // reopen
+        await reOpenIssue(event, issue);
+        // ensure label is ready for review
+        const readyForReviewLabels = [config.READY_FOR_REVIEW_ISSUE_LABEL];
+        if (event.provider === 'github') {
+          await gitHubService.addLabels(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, readyForReviewLabels);
+        } else {
+          await gitlabService.addLabels(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, readyForReviewLabels);
+        }
       }
     }
   }
@@ -103,6 +105,7 @@ async function handleEventGracefully(event, issue, err) {
 
 /**
  * check if challenge is exists for given issue in db/topcoder
+ * @param {Object} event the event
  * @param {Object} issue the issue
  * @returns {Object} the found db issue if exists
  * @private
@@ -175,7 +178,7 @@ async function assignUserAsRegistrant(topcoderUserId, challengeId) {
  */
 async function reOpenIssue(event, issue) {
   if (event.provider === 'github') {
-    await gitHubService.changeState(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, 'open');
+    await gitHubService.changeState(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, 'open');
   } else {
     await gitlabService.changeState(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, 'reopen');
   }
@@ -200,9 +203,9 @@ async function rollbackAssignee(event, assigneeUserId, issue, reOpen = false) {
   // comment on the git ticket for the user to self-sign up with the Topcoder x Self-Service tool
   const comment = `@${assigneeUsername}, please sign-up with Topcoder X tool`;
   if (event.provider === 'github') {
-    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, comment);
+    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, comment);
     // un-assign the user from the ticket
-    await gitHubService.removeAssign(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, assigneeUsername);
+    await gitHubService.removeAssign(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, assigneeUsername);
   } else {
     await gitlabService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, comment);
     // un-assign the user from the ticket
@@ -283,7 +286,7 @@ async function handleIssueAssignment(event, issue) {
     const contestUrl = getUrlForChallengeId(dbIssue.challengeId);
     const comment = `Contest ${contestUrl} has been updated - it has been assigned to ${userMapping.topcoderUsername}.`;
     if (event.provider === 'github') {
-      await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, comment);
+      await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, comment);
     } else {
       await gitlabService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, comment);
     }
@@ -312,7 +315,7 @@ async function handleIssueComment(event, issue) {
     logger.debug(`updating issue: ${event.data.repository.name}/${issue.number}`);
 
     if (event.provider === 'github') {
-      await gitHubService.updateIssue(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, newTitle);
+      await gitHubService.updateIssue(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, newTitle);
     } else {
       await gitlabService.updateIssue(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, newTitle);
     }
@@ -320,7 +323,7 @@ async function handleIssueComment(event, issue) {
     // assign user
     logger.debug(`assigning user, ${parsedComment.assignedUser} to issue: ${event.data.repository.name}/${issue.number}`);
     if (event.provider === 'github') {
-      await gitHubService.assignUser(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, parsedComment.assignedUser);
+      await gitHubService.assignUser(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, parsedComment.assignedUser);
     } else {
       const userId = await gitlabService.getUserIdByLogin(event.copilot, parsedComment.assignedUser);
       await gitlabService.assignUser(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, userId);
@@ -368,7 +371,7 @@ async function handleIssueUpdate(event, issue) {
   const contestUrl = getUrlForChallengeId(dbIssue.challengeId);
   const comment = `Contest ${contestUrl} has been updated - the new changes has been updated for this ticket.`;
   if (event.provider === 'github') {
-    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, comment);
+    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, comment);
   } else {
     await gitlabService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, comment);
   }
@@ -459,7 +462,7 @@ async function handleIssueClose(event, issue) {
   try {
     logger.debug('update issue as paid');
     if (event.provider === 'github') {
-      await gitHubService.markIssueAsPaid(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, dbIssue.challengeId);
+      await gitHubService.markIssueAsPaid(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, dbIssue.challengeId);
     } else {
       await gitlabService.markIssueAsPaid(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, dbIssue.challengeId);
     }
@@ -518,7 +521,7 @@ async function handleIssueCreate(event, issue) {
   const contestUrl = getUrlForChallengeId(issue.challengeId);
   const comment = `Contest ${contestUrl} has been created for this ticket.`;
   if (event.provider === 'github') {
-    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.name, issue.number, comment);
+    await gitHubService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.full_name, issue.number, comment);
   } else {
     await gitlabService.createComment(event.copilot, event.data.repository.id, issue.number, comment);
   }
@@ -618,7 +621,6 @@ async function process(event) {
       issue.assignee = await gitlabService.getUsernameById(copilot, event.data.issue.assignees[0].id);
     }
   }
-  console.warn(JSON.stringify(issue));
   if (event.event === 'issue.created') {
     await handleIssueCreate(event, issue);
   } else if (event.event === 'issue.updated') {