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.

This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations Chibaula Silwamba.

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 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 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.

Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Charity Katanga has dispelled reports that she has been suspended after she was allegedly implicated in a drugs syndicate with some unnamed foreign nationals.

Some media reports indicated that Mrs. Katanga has been suspended and summoned by the Drug Enforcement Commission for questioning on Monday for allegedly engaging in drug trafficking.

Mrs Katanga said people peddling such rumours are enemies within and outside the police service who wish to get rid of her.

She said she has not been suspended and she is diligently executing her duties.

“I know this is the work of the devil through some people within the police service and some outside. I know them and I am not shaken. I am still working and I am in the office now as I speak to you,” she said.

She added, “The devil is a liar and I take back all these rumours to the sender.”

MMD National Youth Secretary, Bowman Lusambo has said that the statement attributed to veteran politician, Vernon Mwaanga on suspected rigging of elections is careless and must be condemned.

Mr Lusambo said that Dr. Mwaanga’s statement is a threat to national security.

Mr. Lusambo told ZNBC News that it is a known fact that Dr. Mwaanga’s statement is merely meant to incite Zambians to reject the election results in an event President Edgar Lungu wins.

Mr. Lusambo said Dr. Mwaanga, and the opposition political parties know too well that President LUNGU is headed for a resounding victory.

Dr. Mwaanga was on Saturday quoted in the media urging opposition parties to strictly monitor and scrutinize the tallying of votes in the forth coming elections to avoid manipulation and abuse of the electoral process.

Meanwhile, Mr Lusambo has said that Zambians should desist from entertaining visionless political party leaders who do not see anything good in others.

Mr. Lusambo said that he is not surprised that the UPND Leadership has condemned the move by President Lungu to deliver about 80 percent of the new constitution saying they do not see anything good in the government.

Mr. Lusambo said that such leaders should not be taken seriously saying it is not possible for President Lungu to fail to deliver in all areas as claimed by the UPND.

He said that such kind of bitterness exhibited by leaders UPND President Hakainde Hichilema is not good for a developing nation like Zambia and that political players should strive to co-exist.

Mr. Lusambo said that it is important that where the party in government has done well they should be commended, and where they have not fared well they should be condemned saying that is the kind of check and balances the people want to see coming from the opposition.

Meanwhile,

GOVERNMENT is working on ensuring that the printing of ballot papers for the 2016 general elections is done by the Government Printing Department.

Minister of Works and Supply Yamfwa Mukanga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday the Government Printing Department has already procured a printing machine which has capacity to print ballot papers.

He said, however, that the printing of ballot papers at the Government Printers can only be permitted if the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) approves of the facility.

“ECZ has to confirm whether the machine that has been installed at Government printers has the capacity to meet the requirements to print the ballot papers,” Mr Mukanga said.

Last year, the ECZ published advertisements inviting bidders for the printing of ballot papers for the 2016 general elections.

A source says Government Printers submitted its bid through the Ministry of Works and Supply.

The source said the machine at the Government Printing Department has not yet been fully installed as the institution is waiting for a few more imported components.

The source added that once the components are installed, the machine will be one of the best in southern Africa with the capacity to print ballot papers for Zambia and its neighbouring countries.

“Once the machine is fully functional, the Government Printing Department will be able to print ballot papers within a space of one week,” the source said.

THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has suspended activities on a Sun Share Investments Limited construction site, a proposed construction of a 10-storey office building in Lusaka.

The site is on Katima Mulilo Road, behind Radisson Blu Hotel.

NCC public relations officer Chama Mwansa said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that routine inspections, NCC conducted on January 6, revealed that the company was carrying out construction works without a valid registration certificate.

Ms Mwansa said NCC also found that the working environment at the site was unsafe because of poor organisation and workers on site did not have the required full protective clothing.

She said Sun Share also breached the regulation which requires contractors to provide appropriate safety clothing to employees.

“NCC has charged Sun Share Investments Limited for contravening the provisions and has ordered the company to immediately cease all construction activities until further notice,” Ms Mwansa said.

She also reminded contractors that the 2016 registration period began in October last year.

Ms Mwansa said contractors wishing to carry out construction activities in 2016 are encouraged to renew their certificates to avoid being penalised.

“We would also like to encourage contractors to ensure all personnel are equipped with appropriate protective wear and enforcement measures on their use are strictly adhered to,” she said.

Ms Mwansa said NCC remains committed to improving the quality of infrastructure in support of national development and will not hesitate to revoke certificates of contractors found wanting.

FORMER President Kenneth Kaunda’s son, Kaweche, has commended President Lungu for the removal of the clause in the Constitution on indigenous parentage, saying that the previous clause was meant to bar his father from standing as president.

In the former Constitution, the clause, under article 100, stated that a person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a President if that person (a) was a citizen by birth or descent (b) has been ordinarily resident in Zambia, among other qualifications.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Kaunda said the removal of the clause is long overdue, adding that it is unfair to have a clause based on an individual.

“We all know how that clause came about. The motive behind it was to bar my father,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zambians in the Diaspora have welcome the dual citizenship clause in the amended Constitution, saying it will enable them invest back home.

Speaking from Austria, where he is currently studying political science, Zambian-born Austria citizen Madalitso Phiri, said it is a ‘dream come true’ to be accepted under the new Constitution as a Zambian whilst maintaining his Austrian nationality.

He said Zambia has one of the most educated people working as professionals in the Diaspora, such as engineers, doctors and nurses who would like to bring those skills home with no restrictions.

He said that Zambians living in the Diaspora will now also be able to fully and effectively participate in the economic activities of the country.

“This is not only a great honour, but also an obligation to do more for our country and I am very sure that many Zambians in the Diaspora will be able to influence change. I believe that the dual citizenship clause will expand Zambia’s economic base and stimulate trade,” he said.

He added that Zambians living abroad will now be inspired not only to return to their country of their origin, but to also invest in the country using advanced technology.

And Precious Chola, based in Ethiopia said the dual citizenship clause will make Zambians in the Diaspora feel part of the country despite being away.

“The dual citizenship clause will no doubt expand Zambia’s economic base, stimulate trade and investment and inspire Zambians in the Diaspora to invest back home. It will also encourage Zambians abroad to build a stronger Diaspora that will in turn, engage their host countries for economic and political decisions in favour of their country of birth and descent,” she said.

Another Zambian-born American citizen Mathews Chanda said that the clause allowing them to maintain Zambian citizenship whilst holding on to other passports will enable them implement their business investments without much difficulties.

Mr Chanda said President Lungu should be commended for signing the Constitution Amendment Bill into law, adding that Zambians must work together for the good of the country.