"The mayor (Fort Simpson's Norm Prevost) and Mr. (Nick) Sibbeston and our minister (Kelvin Ng) had a meeting in Yellowknife three weeks ago," Ramsden told the xxxDrum Monday. "They all acknowledged that until we had Mr. Sibbeston in place, there had been a concern about a long-standing change of players."

"It was a pretty frank meeting that accomplished a lot."

Ramsden said that his boss never pledged to appoint the person or persons Fort Simpson village council requested to serve as public administrator throughout this process.

On the contrary, Ramsden said, Ng was looking for advice, not the abdication of his powers as minister, when he went before Fort Simpson's tri-council last December.

"He never gave up his responsibility to make a decision," he said.

"I just don't believe there is any basis for allegations that we've been less than direct... When the mayor sat in front of the minister and said he was frustrated (that) there have been so many people in place, everyone agreed. The minister then expressed his full confidence in Nick."

Ramsden also said local residents shouldn't fear being caught in a funding squeeze with no hospital and no health centre yet under construction.

His department would not have proceeded with plans had this been the case, Ramsden said.

"There's absolutely no reason for townsfolk to fear that they'll be caught in the process without any funds," he said. "I understand the concern but don't believe there are any grounds for it."

"If we didn't have the money, we'd be stopped in place. It is our view that we have the money and the support."