Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 17/03) - Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko last week asked Premier Stephen Kakfwi about the NWT's readiness for oil and gas development.

"With a pipeline coming down the (Mackenzie) valley, it's important that we as a government are prepared," said Krutko, mentioning amendments to the Wildlife Act and a non-renewable resource strategy. Krutko also voiced concerns about the readiness of communities themselves.

Government has a responsibility to ensure residents can handle incoming development projects, said Krutko.

"When a developer comes to our doorstep and requests us to have input ... we basically have meaningful input into any process."

Kakfwi said the administration and management of non-renewable resources lies with the federal government, but wildlife preservation is still the GNWT's responsibility.

"We are working with the public and aboriginal governments to deliver a Wildlife Act in the near future," he said, adding, "we hope."