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The Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith (retired), on Tuesday toured the construction site of the Aviation Extension Road Project at Roman Ridge. The project, which would cost GH�600,000, was awarded to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) by the Department of Urban Roads. A statement issued by the Ministry of Defense on Wednesday said the Minister noted that the project was a new direction that the government of Ghana had taken to involve the GAF and its new development activities. He said the government had directed the GAF to form a new Engineer Unit at the Northern Sector to help in rural development. Gen. Smith stated that the unit would help in the construction of schools, hospitals, among others, to enable the GAF to generate some income for itself and also help the government in its development agenda. Gen. Smith said plans were underway for the GAF to purchase their own equipment and also build their own accommodation, adding that the ministry was negotiating with other institutions for financing to enable them to achieve this aim. The Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment of the GAF, Lt. Col. Mohammed Mustapha, said the unit had been awarded a number of contracts which include the Songhor Salt Project and Pillar 13 at Aflao. The 48 Engineer Regiment has been opening up the Afram Plains since 1983. Lt. Col. Mustapha said the Unit had constructed a shooting range and training shed at the Bundase Training Camp.