28 May 2007

Former Solomon Islands speaker dies

6:17 am on 28 May 2007

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

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 has been transported to Auki for burial.

Referring to the late Sir Lloyd, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, said Solomon Islands had again lost a great hero.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation says he described the late Sir Lloyd as a man of great insight, inspiration,courage and personality.

Mr Lilo says Sir Lloyd was a strong advocate of effective parliamentary democracy and a united Solomon islands.

He was the first country's Speaker of Parliament, a position he held for three consecutive terms.