by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Nov 19/97) - The $5 million pipeline project proposed for four Keewatin communities is still set to go ahead despite public opposition.

But Public Works and Services Minister Goo Arlooktoo said Thursday that he would approach Northern Transportation Company Ltd., the company that transports fuel and dry cargo into the Keewatin, about the possibility of cutting costs.

"I'm prepared to talk to NTCL, but they better find some cost savings," he said.

Arlooktoo said that he has no choice but to reduce fuel transportation costs in the Keewatin. The pipeline has been identified as the best way to do that, he said.

"They pay a premium for fuel in the Keewatin ... so that the Keewatin can have this Cadillac resupply system," he said.

The status quo can't continue, he said, because other areas in the Eastern Arctic are subsidizing the higher costs in the Keewatin region.

Arlooktoo also said residents of the Keewatin, particularly in Arviat and Baker Lake where he's met with the most opposition, have said they haven't been adequately consulted and that they want to keep Churchill as the supply route.

"That's what I'm trying to do -- trying to keep their supply route," he said. "Whether or not we consulted enough, that's behind us."

Arlooktoo is confident that these concerns can be worked out and the project will continue, unless NTCL finds a cheaper way to deliver the goods.

In their latest move to halt the project, mayors across the Keewatin who met in Whale Cove last week, passed a resolution that includes a call for the GNWT to stop the plan for a request for proposal process, as well as to begin negotiations with NTCL over cheaper transportation rates for the Keewatin.

Arlooktoo said he is looking at their concerns and will make an announcement on the pipeline in the coming days.