Papua New Guinea Minister for Defence Solan Mirisim, Monday announced that the Chief of Defence Force Major General Gilbert Toropo, will no longer serve as the Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
He made this announcement following a National Executive Council (NEC) decision to revoke the appointment of Major General Toropo upon recommendations from the Defence Council.
The Defence Council met on 15 December 2021 and recommended to NEC that the Commander of PNGDF Major General Toropo Contract of Employment will lapse on 13 June 2022 which will be months past his retirement age of 60. The Commander Defence Force(CDF) will turn 60 on 04 April 2022.
Upon carefully consideration of the expiration of the contract of Employment of the Chief of Defence Force in the middle of the 2022 National General Election, the Defence Council made necessary orders to retire the Commander.
The Department of Personal Management as required under the Public Service Management Act gave notice dated 13 December 2021 on the cessation of the CDF Contract of Employment between himself and the State.
This is his second term in office of the Commander and given his age, he will not be eligible for reappointment, when his term expires in June of 2022.
The Defence Council also recommended that NEC approve to advise the Head of State to revoke the appointment of the CDF effective from the date of gazettal of this decision; noting the Public Service Commission has been consulted with requirement of the constitution.
The Defence Council also recommended to NEC to re-deploy and appoint Major General Toropo as the new High Commissioner to New Zealand for a period of four years.
The Defence Council also recommended to NEC to approve and appoint Colonel Siale Diro as Defence Attaché to Australia.
The Defence Council has recommended to NEC to approve and promote Colonel Mark Goina as Brigadier General of the PNG Defence Force and promote Colonel Goina as Major General and Commander of the PNG Defence Force for a period of four years effective on and from the date of the gazettal appointment.
SOURCE: PNG GOVT/PACNEWS
