SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Det'on Cho RTL Construction announced Thursday the appointment of Blaine Nickel as its general manager.

A truck from RTL Enterprises hauls equipment used to crush rock on the secondary winter road to the diamond mines in 2006. - photo courtesy of Tom Hoefer

The new company is a joint venture between the Det'on Cho Corporation and RTL Robinson Enterprises, the largest transportation, construction, aggregate crushing and logistics company in the Northwest Territories.

Nickel said he is excited to help lead the company, and looks forward to helping it grow.

"It's a great opportunity and I am excited for the chance to help build a completely, truly Northern construction company," said Nickel. "This is a great chance for me to expand my experience."

He said his experience in the oil sector in Alberta and with construction of the Diavik Diamond Mine, as well as being a lifelong Northerner from Whitehorse, prepares him for the challenges that come with operating in the North.

"There are going to be challenges, like finding local people, but I'm ready for it. Our number one goal is for the majority of workers to be local hires," said Nickel.

Roy Erasmus Jr. is president and CEO of the Det'on Cho Corporation. "We hired Blaine because of the experience he brings to the table with his Northern construction management background. He's been acting as general manager since December when (the joint venture) was started."

Erasmus echoed Nickel's desire for a majority Northern workforce. "That is one of our targets, to hire a Northern workforce. We are confident we can do that and we have a good track record up here," said Erasmus.

"We are looking at hiring a minimum of 20 to 30 people. The more work we get, the more people we will hire."

In a press release announcing the appointment, vice president of operations for RTL Enterprises Larry Wheaton said it is about having more Northerners in the construction industry.

"What we've done by forming this alliance is to strengthen Northern involvement in the construction industry, starting with the Akaitcho region before branching out," said Wheaton.

"Det'on Cho RTL is currently geared towards crushing and heavy civil construction, but we're aiming for more road work and would like to get involved in mine reclamation; we have the capacity."

The construction company has already been involved in roadwork projects throughout the NWT, such as construction of the Yellowknife highway and the secondary road to the diamond mines.

Det'on Cho was set up in 1998 as the economic development arm of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The corporation includes more than 20 subsidiaries, partners and joint ventures.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.