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The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) can now bid for road and other contracts on tender in a move to make use of its untapped expertise, especially that of the Field Engineers Regiment, for national development. The move will also go a long way to make the military more profit-oriented and self-sustainable. The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic at Sefwi Awaso, said the military had enormous potential that could be tapped for the benefit of the nation. He said his ministry was discussing with other relevant ministries and military institutions how best to equip the military to enable them to handle some aspects of the country's development challenges. Mr Gidisu said the Field Engineers Regiment had abundant expertise that could help speed up the development of the country's road infrastructure. "That is one thing we did not know about the military. Apart from exhibiting high discipline, they have some of the finest engineers, architects and other professionals that could be used to push the country's development agenda," he said. Mr Gidisu said roping in the military in the road construction effort did not mean that they would be taken off their core role of defending the nation. Some members of the general public applauded the move and said the military had the discipline and commitment to execute the task. They told the Daily Graphic later that if the military were adequately equipped, they would be in a better position to handle not only emergencies, but also bid for contracts at very competitive rates. "Let us not see the military as a bunch of people only prepared for war situations; there are high professionals in the army," a resident of Awaso, Kwaku Ankrah, said.