* Parliament loses one of its members
* PM shares sympathies
* ‘Late Tom as man of principle’
Parliament loses one of its members
Parliament has lost one of its members Peter Tom who was the Chairman of the Parliamentary House Committee and Member of Parliament for West Kwaio Constituency on Monday due to illness.
His body is at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) morgue since Monday.
Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu made the announcement in the Parliamentary chamber yesterday and as a show of respect for this fine leader, Parliament took a moment of silence before it commences its business.
He said, “We as a house are grief by his passing.”
The Speaker said Obituary speeches to remember the life of late Peter will be made at a later sitting day after the funeral service.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela told Parliament that arrangements for the funeral service of late Tom are currently made between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.
He informed the house and the public of the following funeral arrangements.
On Wednesday 7th November, the body of late Peter Tom will be taken from the NRH morgue to his house at Tasahe to spend the night there and on Thursday 8th November the body will lay in state at the National Parliament House from 10am to 12noon followed by the funeral service.
The venue for the funeral service is yet to be advised.
After the funeral service, the body of the late Mr Tom will be taken to his house until evening where the body will be taken from his house to the wharf and be transported on a ship to his home village in Bina on Malaita Province.
The ship arrives at his home village in Bina on the morning of Friday 9th November and spend the night there until Saturday the 10th of November where the body of late Hon. Tom will be finally laid to rest.
Leader of Opposition Manasseh Maelanga, Leader of Independent Group Derick Sikua, Matthew Wale Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga and Danny Philip Member of Parliament for South New Georgia made their comments to late Hon. Tom’s passing and also in support of the special adjournment.
Parliament is specially adjourned to Friday 9th November 2018 to pay respect to late leader.
Prime Minister explained that it is important to accord the honor and respect to late Mr Tom, thus this special adjournment is important.
PM shares sympathies
PRIME Minister Rick Hou has conveyed his condolences to the people of West Kwaio Constituency and families of the late Peter Tom.
In his condolence message, the Prime Minister shared his deepest sympathies on behalf of Madam Rachel, Deputy Prime Minister, members of his Cabinet and Government Caucus.
“It is with great sorrow to learn of the passing away of your husband, father, grandfather and uncle the late Peter Tom,” he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that late Mr Tom was the Member of Parliament for West Kwaio Constituency and Chairman of the Parliamentary House Committee until his passing.
“He was a man of humility, a man of principle and a God-fearing leader,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the late MP’s passing is not only a great loss to the people of West Kwaio Constituency and his family but also this nation and her people.
“The late Peter was a great and inspiring national leader and a dedicated, loyal and respected member of the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government.
“As we all pay respect to this great man, please be assured of our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time,” he said.
The Prime Minister yesterday has also moved a special adjournment in Parliament until Friday this week to pay tribute to the MP for West Kwaio.
The Government is also working closely with the late Honourable Peter’s family on arrangements to repatriate his body to his final resting place.
‘Late Tom as man of principle’
DEMOCRATIC Alliance Party (DAP) Wing Leader Jeremiah Manele has described the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kwaio Hon Peter Tom as a man of principle.
In his condolence message yesterday, Manele who is also the Minister of Development & Planning and Aid Coordination conveyed his condolences on behalf the DAP Party Council, Party Executive and its members.
“The late Honorable Tom was a well-respected member of the Democratic Alliance Party, a man of principle, humility and compassion,” he said.
The DAP Wing Leader said late Peter was a dedicated and faithful leader who served his people well.
“West Kwaio Constituency has lost a son. Malaita province has lost a role model. Solomon Islands has lost a great leader. The Democratic Alliance Party has lost a mentor,” he said.
“Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
Mr Tom was the MP for West Kwaio Constituency and Chairman of the Parliamentary House Committee until his passing.
Late Honorable Tom was also a senior member of the Democratic Alliance Party.
