Need for Dual Citizenship Act to be looked at to cater for Papua New Guineans working overseas.

The Immigration and Citizenship Authority has been urged to look into the Dual Citizenship Act for the benefit all Papua New Guineans.

Enga Provincial MP Sir Peter Ipatas expressed concern that many highly educated PNG citizens have been forced to forgo their citizenship.

He says this has made it difficult for many to return and contribute towards the country's development.

Sir Ipatas said, “look into the dual citizenship laws and see how we can get Papua New Guineans to come back and invest here in this country.

Also we have to give them a special treatment so they come and go out of this country as Papua New Guineans.”

The matter was brought to his attention during his recent trip to Australia, to visit over a thousand seasonal workers in Perth.

Deputy Prime Minister and Immigration Minister John Rosso in response, says the issue of Dual Citizenship has been raised numerous times.

He's assured the House that his department has already started work on the amendment to make it more flexible.

 Mr. Rosso said, “sports people, pilots, doctors, surgeons, a lot of them have asked for this and it is only right that we explore this thing.

And ensure that immigration allows dual citizenship for Papua New Guinea citizens who are born Papua New Guineans but had to forgo their citizenship and move to other countries due to work and sports.

He assured the Enga Provincial MP that his concerns have been noted and confirmed that Immigration has already started the work.

 “We shall be bringing it to cabinet for Parliament to deliberate on it,” Mr. Rosso said