Fuel problems in Rigolet being addressed

Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, today said the fuel situation in Rigolet is being addressed.

Minister Rideout said: �Rigolet has been facing a difficult situation with the possibility of running out of fuel over the winter. I am pleased to say that we have worked together with the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) to put arrangements in place to have heating oil and other fuels delivered before winter sets in.�

A gas spill in the community in December 2000 led to the closure of a privately-operated station. Since this time, the town council in Rigolet operated a gas and fuel supply operation. This continued until recently. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the LIA made arrangements for a tanker to top up their fuel supply.

�Our government has undertaken to provide a loan guarantee so that the Labrador Inuit Development Corporation, the business arm of the LIA, can operate the service until another operator can be found,� said Minister Rideout. �We are committed to ensuring communities throughout Labrador have access to fuel.�

�Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tom Rideout and his officials were exceptionally cooperative,� said Tony Andersen, vice president of the LIA. �The Labrador Inuit Development Corporation has purchased the existing tanks to operate the retail business.�

Paul Shelley, Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs was also involved in the efforts to develop a solution to the Rigolet fuel issue. �I am extremely pleased that a joint effort of the provincial government and the Labrador Inuit Association, in consultation with the Town of Rigolet, has resulted in a solution to the gasoline and fuel retail problems in the community,� said Minister Shelley. �We are hopeful that this solution will provide a sense of stability and security to the community.�

Minister Rideout said: �The retail gas and heating fuel situation in Rigolet was a very complex issue and finding the solution took a lot of creativity and teamwork. This is tremendous news for the residents of Rigolet, and we are delighted that this new one time arrangement will help address the fuel and home heating needs of the community through the winter and into June.�

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

2005 11 14                                    3:00 p.m.