THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Peter Kenilorea.
“Sir Peter was a founding father of Solomon Islands,” the chamber said in a statement.
“He was Chief Minister during the period when independence from Britain was negotiated, and became the first Prime Minister of Solomon Islands,” it added.
He held this post on two further occasions.
He occupied many other leading positions in the public service and parliament in the country – including Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director of Forum Fisheries Agency, Ombudsman, and Speaker of the Parliament.
He was active in brokering peace during the tensions.
“For his services to the nation, Sir Peter received many awards, nationally and internationally.
“Sir Peter was remarkable not just for the posts he held, but the way in which he discharged his duties in holding them. He aimed always to model honesty and respect for others.
“He strove to do his best, holding true to his Christian faith. He was dedicated to his country and people – on his retirement, he returned to his village in Are-Are to help record his people’s history, genealogies and customs.”
He was, in his words, ‘a servant of the public’.
The chamber said Sir Peter was never a businessman, but he instinctively understood what his country needed in order to develop.
“He anchored his hopes for his country’s future in an awareness of its past.
“He worked tirelessly for honesty and integrity. He strove for economic development for his people.
“Sir Peter was a model of the best that our country has to offer.
“Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local business community offers its best wishes to his family upon his passing.”
