MNPDC Minister, Peter Kenilorea Junior, and Permanent Secretary, Brian Lenga, posed for a photo with Ministry staff during the welcome ceremony.
MNPDC welcomes new Minister
The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) formally welcomed its new Minister, Honourable Peter Kenilorea Junior, last Friday (22nd May 2026).
Minister Kenilorea Junior, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Are’Are Constituency in Malaita Province, was sworn-in as the political head of the Ministry on 17th May 2026 following the election of Honourable Mathew Wale as the country’s new Prime Minister on 15th May 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, MNPDC Permanent Secretary, Mr. Brian Lenga, congratulated Minister Kenilorea Junior on his appointment.
Mr. Lenga said the Ministry looks forward to working closely with Minister Kenilorea Junior to advance the new coalition government’s reform agenda for change.
In a brief welcome ceremony held at the Ministry, Minister Kenilorea Junior said his appointment to the role marks the first time he holds a ministerial role.
Before his election as MP in 2019, Minister Kenilorea Junior served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET). During his tenure as MP, he held various roles but not as a Minister of the crown.
Minister Kenilorea Junior joined the parliamentary Opposition Group and later lead the parliamentary Independent Group. He was also the Chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee.
“This is the first time that I served as a Minister of the crown and it is a privilege to start here with the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination,” Minister Kenilorea Junior said.
He said MNPDC is one of the important ministries of the government that helps in the development of national development strategies, medium-term development plans and annual development budgets.
MNPDC also oversees the implementation of important national strategies and plans including the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035, the Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan (SINIIP) and the Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation Smooth Transition Strategy.
The Ministry also coordinates development policies, programs and projects with implementing government line ministries, provincial governments, state-owned enterprises, business community and development partners.
Minister Kenilorea Junior replaces Honourable Manasseh Sogavare who briefly serve as MNPDC Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister, from 18th March to 7th May 2026, under the former GNUT Government.
New MNPDC Minister, Peter Kenilorea Junior, and the MPNDC Permanent Secretary, Brian Lenga, cutting the welcome cake. Looking on are staff of the Ministry.
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