Jica praised for putting army band in tune

By MICHAEL LAI
PNG Defence Force Commander Gilbert Toropo has described his military band members as “best and well trained” under Japanese mentorship.
Band members were taught how to play three categories of instruments under the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) since 2015.
They performed with brass instruments, wood wind instruments, string and percussion instruments, with drums and cymbals, during a farewell concert for their Japanese maestro Katsuo Mizushina.
The ceremony was attended by Toropo, Major Rapael Oa, representatives of Jica and Japan Ambassador Nakajima Satoshi.
Toropo thanked Mizushina for taking the PNGDF band to the next level.
“We hope that we can continue to keep in touch,” he told him.
“You can come back once a year following on your development.”
Mizushina said it was great opportunity to leave a legacy behind for the two countries to carry on.
Toropo said this was the first project of its kind in the PNGDF.
“We are happy that now we have a fully-fledged PNG Defence Force brass band.
“We have received invitation to participate in an occasion in Sydney on October this year.”
Toropo urged band members to continue the great tradition of the PNGDF.
He said the same band played in the Apec leaders’ official dinner last November in Port Moresby.
There are eight women and 34 men in the band.