Zambians in New York, New Jersey and Conn. applaud President Lungu for Dual Citizenship

Zambians in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut applaud President Lungu for Dual Citizenship, Constitution amendments

NEW YORK, Saturday, 9 January 2016 – Zambians resident in the Tri-State – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – in USA have commended His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia for fulfilling his promise to enact the Dual Citizenship law.

President Lungu on Tuesday 5^th January 2016 assented to the bills passed by Parliament, thereby bringing into effect the Constitution of Zambia Act, No. 1 of 2016 and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act. No. 2 of 2016, which may be cited as Constitution of Zambia Act, 2015 and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2015, respectively.

Following the enactment of the amendments, several Zambians resident in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been phoning the Zambian Mission to the UN in New York to express their gratitude to the President and recalling his assurance to them on 30^th September 2015 that he would pass the Dual Citizenship clause they had requested for.

In separate congratulatory messages to President Lungu conveyed to the Zambian Mission, leaders of the Tri-State Association of Zambians and the Zambian Family Association in the Tri-State expressed their members’ gratitude.

Tri-State Association of Zambians president Mr. Ernest Masheke said: “On behalf of Tri-State Association of Zambians and all Zambians in the Diaspora, I would like to congratulate the President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Mr. Edgar Lungu and his office for granting dual-citizenship. During the recent visit to New York, I had an opportunity to speak with the President on behalf of the Zambians living in the Diaspora about how important dual citizenship will be to all the Zambians.

“Within a short period of time, His Excellency approved and signed the dual citizenship law which has made all the Zambians excited.

“The Zambian community living in the state of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are now looking into the opportunity of investing in Zambia, fulfilling their dreams and having the rights to travel to Zambia and participate in the elections. I believe this law will bring a lot of advantages to Zambians and effectively contribute to the development of the country. Your Excellency we would like to thank you for this important task that you took upon yourself after hearing our voices.”

Zambian Family Association in the Tri-State chairperson, Mr. Patmo Shipo, said: “H.E President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has lived to his promise [to enact] dual Citizenship. This is a very courageous step that most Zambians in the Diaspora who wished this process a success can applaud.

“Dual Nationality will provide so many benefits and privileges under the leadership of our current President and those that will succeed him. Travelling restrictions will be alleviated and property ownership in either country will be easier. Social service system and business in general will have a new [and] different outlook. Having dual Citizenship gives us a new opportunity to enlighten others about the culture and people of two different nationalities.

“We wish to express our sincere heart felt gratitude to our President for opening up opportunities and encouraging all stakeholders to keep the wheels of our Zambian economy turning.”

President Lungu had addressed Zambians resident in USA on 30^th September 2015 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where he had earlier delivered his maiden statement to the global body.

During the meeting, President Lungu assured Zambians in the Diaspora that he would enact the Dual Citizenship law and that the Government would implement the Diaspora Policy to accord nationals at home and abroad opportunities to participate in the development of the country.

The President called on Zambians in the Diaspora to invest back home and partner with foreign investors to accelerate Zambia’s development.

Issued by:

CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA (Mr.)

First Secretary for Press and Public Relations

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations