PORT MORESBY, (THE NATIONAL) – Brigadier -General Gilbert Toropo has been reappointed by Cabinet as Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) commander for another four years.
Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore told The National that Cabinet met last Thursday and reappointed Toropo.
Toropo, was first appointed as commander in 2014 and this will be his second term.
“The decision was based on his good performance in the previous term,” Kapavore said.
“The Defence Council gave their recommendation to be considered for reappointment.
“This was supported by the Public Services Commission and endorsed by NEC (National Executive Council).” Toropo, from Southern Highlands, commanded the First Battalion of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR) as well as the PNGDF’s joint task force.
He was promoted to the rank of colonel in 2012.
During 2007, he undertook a year-long training course at the Australian Defence Force’s Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra.
Toropo was announced commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force on Jan 9, 2014, replacing Brig-Gen Francis Agwi who had reached the end of his period in office.
At the time, he was 51 years old.
Toropo was sworn into his new role on Jan 31, 2014.
Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Toropo was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday honours.
