PNG Government appoints new PNG Defence Force Commander

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday announced the appointment of Colonel Gilbert Toropo as the new commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

A media statement   stated that the National Executive Council met and appointed Toropo, 51, from the Southern Highlands Province.

He replaces Brigadier-General Francis Agwi, whose term expired in December last year. "Colonel Gilbert Toropo is a highly trained professional soldier who has demonstrated leadership and discipline, rising to the rank of colonel in 2012," Mr O’Neill said.

"He is an all-rounder who has held various command positions including commander of the First Royal Pacific Island Regiment."

Mr Toropo is currently the commander of the Joint Task Force with the PM expressing confidence in his leadership.

"I’m very confident that Colonel Toropo will provide the vision and leadership the PNG Defence Force needs as the force begins to implement the Defence White Paper and the National Security Policy which were launched a few weeks ago," he said.

General Agwi, who is now retired, will take up a new post as High Commissioner to New Zealand. The NEC also appointed Colonel Jeffrey Wiri as the new chief of operations of the PNG Defence Force.

PNG Today / Post Courier