Premier in the clear
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Fort Good Hope (Jan 15/01) - A review of Stephen Kakfwi's rental of a truck from a company owned by his brother provided a glimpse into the way business sometimes works in remote Northern communities.
The premier rents a vehicle from his brother each time he goes to his home community of Fort Good Hope.
Government regulations do not allow MLAs to give government business to relatives, but Kakfwi was given an exemption based on the understanding that his brother was the only person in town to rent vehicles.
In October the premier's staff discovered another company, River Bend Enterprises, also rents trucks.
"It's been widely publicized that I have something to account for," Kakfwi told the board of management Friday. "It's been on CJCD and members of the media are here waiting to see something happen."
Kakfwi told the board it was well known within the community that he rented a vehicle each time he was in town, but no one knew River Bend Enterprises was renting trucks. He had approached another company, which no longer rents vehicles, on several occasions but was told they had none to rent.
His statements were backed up by an Oct. 31 letter from River Bend Enterprises owner William Nyuli.
"Although River Bend Enterprises Ltd. does occasionally rent out vehicles it is only if the other rental businesses in town (do) not have a vehicle for rent," wrote Nyuli.
Contacted last week, Nyuli said the letter was not written at the request of anyone from Kakfwi's office,
River Bend also has a four-year contract with the government for fuel delivery services in Fort Good Hope.
Asked why he has a vehicle rental business if he does not want to rent vehicles, Nyuli said it's a good business to "get through the lean times."
The board of management agreed Kakfwi can continue to rent from his brother's company, but only if no others are available.
