Solomon Islands loses another statesman last night as state funeral planned for this week

Solomon Islands will hold another state funeral later this week to honour one of its statesman, Sir Lloyd Maepeza Gina who passed away last night in Honiara.

The planned state funeral follows another in respect of the late Bart Ulufa'alu today.

The death of Sir Lloyd occurred almost at the time Solomon Islands was mourning the passing of another of its statesman, the late Bartholomew Ulufa'alu whose body was transported to Auki this evening for burial.

Referring to the late Sir Lloyd,Minister of Finance, Gordon Darcy Lilo says Solomon Islands has again lost a great hero. He describes the late Sir Lloyd as a man of great insight, inspiration,courage and personality.

Mr Lilo says the late Sir Lloyd was a man of strong charisma and vision for sovereignty. He was a strong advocator of effective parliamentary democracy and a united Solomon Islands.

The late Sir Lloyd had been former District Commissioner and a founding member of the National Constitution. He was later elected the first country's Speaker of Parliament, a position he had held on three consecutive terms.

Government had appointed an interim committee to organise formalities for the late Sir Lloyd's state funeral. Sir Lloyd is from the Western Province.

Meanwhile, Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena and family had sent their condolence to the family members of the late Sir Lloyd Maepeza Gina. Sir Nathaniel Waena described the late Sir Lloyd as a prominent leader and a founding father of the newly independent state of Solomon Islands.

The late Sir Lloyd was the first parliamentary speaker of the newly independent Solomon islands for three terms from 1976 to 1988. During his time as Speaker of Parliament, late Sir Lloyd had presided over parliament with distinction and excellence and had served in various statutory organisation boards.

Source: SIBC