Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Mar 10/00) - Richard Duntra was approved for a big government loan, now has a big debt, but is working towards a big pay-off in the future.

Duntra, a former Cat operator and truck driver for Beaver Enterprises, has started his own trucking company, R.D. Trucking.

In late December he and a friend went to Fort St. John, B.C., where he used his $171,000 government loan to purchase a black, tandem-axle water truck. Ever since then he's been sub-contracting for Fort Liard's Beaver Enterprises, transporting up to 16,000 litres of water to natural gas camps in the area.

Many residents recognize that firms and companies from outside Fort Liard have been gobbling up a lot of the work because there are no local businesses to do the job, Duntra explained. His idea to buy a water truck wasn't a novel one in the community, but he was the first to act on it.

"If I go first and things go good then I can talk to somebody else and he can follow me," he said.

Although the idea of a successful business venture is appealing, the thought of taking on a huge debt can be quite intimidating, he admitted.

"I was a little bit nervous. That was lots of money," he said. "But somebody has to do it."

Duntra said he received plenty of encouragement and support from RWED employee Richard Provan, who helped him draw up a business plan and arrange for the five-year loan. Duntra did his part by getting his Class 1 licence in June and now works steadily at $90 per hour to get out of the red. Sometimes he works seven days a week and gets calls at 9 p.m. at night to deliver water.

"I don't mind ... as long as they pay me," he said with a smile.

Each day he performs his own inspection of the truck and does his own oil changes when necessary. He said he's thinking about acquiring a gravel box for his truck so he can continue to maximize his work hours in the summer, he added.

Shane Parrish, general manager for Acho Dene Koe Holdings, said the band has been encouraging members to take advantage of the wealth of business opportunities that exist in the community.

"I know that Richard has worked very long and hard to get where he is right now," Parrish said, adding that it's not always easy to scratch up the initial equity investment. "Richard was the first, but hopefully not the last to succeed. Hopefully he can be a role model for others who want to do that in the future. If you're prepared to work with us and provide the service, we're prepared to help band members."