Tiensten sacking best for NA: Itinge

THE East New Britain branch of the National Alliance Party has defended its decision to expel the Member for Pomio Paul Tiensten as a party member.
ENB NA branch president John Itinge said in a statement that the decision was made “in the best interest of the party as an institution and to protect the integrity of the party”.
He said it was wrong for people to pinpoint Governor Leo Dion and former Gazelle MP Sinai Brown as instigators of this move.
Mr Itinge called on NA Party supporters in the province and those from Pomio district to remain calm as the leadership issue will be discussed at the forthcoming NGI caucus meeting on Saturday in Port Moresby.
Meanwhile, a NA council member said he was disappointed with the national executive for trying to cover up when, in fact, they knew of the problems facing the Islands bloc over the leadership issue.
“The Prime Minister is fully aware of it.
“Simon Kaiwi, Stephen Pokawin and Joyce Grant know about the leadership problems within the NA (Islands region),” the council member said, asking not to be identified by name.
“They know that Paul Tiensten cannot work with his executives on the ground eventhough he had the portfolio.
“What you are seeing now is the tip of the iceberg.”
He said during the last NGI party meeting in Kokopo, it was obvious that the NGI deputy leader could not work with the deputy president of NA Islands region Tom Bullen.
“In last year’s NGI meeting, Mr Bullen was not allowed into the meeting and was replaced by John Tuka.
“Even the national executives comprising of Simon Kaiwi, Stephen Pokawin and Joyce Grant were told to pay K1,000 per head to gain access to the meeting.
“Let’s bring it out for the people of Papua New Guinea, especially the NA financial members and the people of East New Britain and the Pomio electorate to know the truth that we have been dissatisfied for the last two years.
“I am disappointed with the national executives not telling the truth about every details of the party because there is definitely something wrong with the NA Islands region leadership,” he said