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President Lungu during assenting to the Constitutional Amendment Bill ceremony at Heroes Stadium – Pictures by State House
Zambians resident in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in USA have commended President Edgar Lungu for fulfilling his promise to enact the Dual Citizenship law.
President Lungu on Tuesday 5th 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 30th 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 Ernest Masheke says the President should be commended for granting the dual-citizenship law.
Mr. Masheke says during the recent visit to New York, he 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.
He says it is gratifying that within a short period of time; President Lungu approved and signed the dual citizenship law which has made all the Zambians excited.
And Zambian Family Association in the Tri-State Chairperson Mr. Patmo Shipo says President Lungu has lived to his promise to enact dual Citizenship.
Mr. Shipo says this is a very courageous step that most Zambians in the Diaspora who wished this process a success can applaud.
He explains that the dual Nationality will provide so many benefits and privileges under the leadership of the current President and those that will succeed him.
President Lungu had addressed Zambians resident in USA on 30th 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.
This is contained in a statement made available to QFM News by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Chibabula Silwamba.