Rankin Inlet (July 30/03) - This year there have been two deaths caused by hamlet-owned sewer trucks in Nunavut.

The incidents have prompted the Department of Community Government and Transportation to look into what hamlets are doing with their equipment.

Ron Roach, senior administrative officer in Rankin, said the hamlet is currently in the process of inspecting and servicing all 14 vehicles in its fleet.

The action, he said, is not primarily because of earlier accidents in the territory, but because it was something that needed to be done.

"We went over them from headlight to tail lights. We've got a plan to ensure every light is fixed," said Roach.

"It's not because they are beat up, it's just for insurance purposes."

The hamlet believed the process was so important that they did not wait for their regular mechanic to return from holidays and hired heavy duty mechanics from the south to conduct the inspections.

The same mechanics have also begun repairs on the vehicles.

Roach said for the most part the vehicles were not deemed to be unsafe.

"Some of the second hand vehicles were in bad shape, but they were all road worthy," he said.

Since the inspections, all the vehicles have had a complete service and engine overhaul, said Roach.

Those repairs included an oil change, replacement of bearings and other general servicing.

The complete list of what needs to be done has not been compiled yet, said Roach.

"Repairs are ongoing," he said. "A lot of the stuff was a light bashed in, dents in the side, a missing door handle. A lot of it is cosmetic."

Roach said he doesn't have a full analysis on how much the repairs will cost the hamlet and expects those figures will be released this week.

He did acknowledge that the extent of the repairs would add up.

Currently the hamlet has $25,000 in equipment reserves available. That fund is designed to pay for vehicle repair and replacement.