Inuvik (Apr 23/04) - Roger Allen says the flu kept him from attending the first NWT Intergovernmental Assembly held in Hay River, April 6-8.

This after Clarence Wood, vice-president of the NWT Association of Communities, told the Drum he was "disappointed" Allen's Twin Lakes riding -- where Wood resides and ran against Allen in the last territorial election -- was not represented.

"It opened up doors for all involved," said Wood of the meeting that included public, aboriginal and territorial government.

"We found a lot of common issues, whether it's devolution, land claims or self-government. These are things all of us want dealt with."

However, Allen did not share that sentiment. Referring to Premier Joe Handley's opening statement as "pretty status quo," Allen went on to outline his vision for the NWT.

"I want to talk about achieving provincehood," he said. Allen added that he'd also like to see more expenditure control following the 27 per cent increase in GNWT spending over the last four years.

Not sustainable

"It's not sustainable," he said, reiterating his thoughts he expressed in the legislative assembly on March 17.

For his Twin Lakes riding, Allen says that 12 additional senior housing units will be constructed over the next four years, and for the region he'd like to explore the tourism potential of big game hunting.