Dion, ToBaining return

THE country’s second largest political party – T.H.E Party scored two major coups in East New Britain over the weekend.
Last Friday, T.H.E Party’s former governor Leo Dion returned home as PNG’s new deputy prime minister in the morning and gave them their new governor in Ereman Tobaining Jr in the afternoon.
“It is indeed a great day and a blessing for the province,” Dion said following the successful election of his successor Kokopo MP ToBaining Jr in a 13-5 PEC election victory over Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar.
The DPM also used the opportunity to convey his gratitude and appreciation to his party leader and Treasurer Don Pomb Polye for his elevation to the second highest political post.
“Honorable Don Polye has unselfishly offered me the deputy prime minister when there were many more experienced and qualified people in the party to choose from, but I thank him for his trust in me.
“I will not let him or the people of East New Britain down.
“He is a very humble leader for relinquishing the position to a son of this province and we must always be thankful to him.”
In recognition, Polye said:  “We cannot polarise power up in the highlands, we have to share it equally with the men and women of this country.
“To move this country forward, we have to harness and harmonise all our resources, including political power to serve our people with honesty, integrity and dedication.”
In what has been described as a triumph, T.H.E Party leader led a group of more than 50 people including parliamentary members, party executives and political minders into Kokopo town and kept the island abuzz throughout the weekend.
Parliamentarians who were part of the group included deputy party leader Mark Maipakai, deputy party leader Momase MP James Gau, Higher Education Minister David Arore, EHP Governor Julie Soso and MPs Delilah Gore, Wera Mori, Camilius Dangma, Philip Undialu, Douglas Tumuseria and the MP for Mendi open De Kewanu.
Bright red laplaps, glistening bodies of ENB’s famed traditional dancers and raw emotions were the order of the welcome reception at Tokua Airport last Friday afternoon.
Senior statesmen Sir Paulias Matane shed tears of joy for Dion, who had been the governor of the province.