Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Department of Transportation is responding to the claims made by Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny in regards to the Giant Mine Bypass Road Project.

Dolynny's claim was that companies in Yellowknife had expressed an interest in being considered for the contract, but they were told only one company was deemed eligible under the GNWT's Negotiated Contracts Policy.

DOT spokesperson Earl Blacklock said that's because they had only received one proposal on the project from Deton Cho and the decision was made to move ahead with negotiations.

“When it went forward and was reviewed, especially at the executive council level, it was determined that it met the Negotiated Contract Policy,” he said. “It met the objectives of that policy and the department was authorized to enter into negotiations.”

Blacklock also insisted the contract will only be completed once terms are agreeable to the department and taxpayers.

“That means it has to provide value, it has to provide quality and it has to achieve the objectives of the policy, which is to increase the capacity of local companies, in particular, local aboriginal companies,” he said.

Blacklock says the department didn't receive a proper proposal from any other company outlining how they met the criteria contained within the policy.

When contacted, Dolynny said he would raise the issue further with minister Dave Ramsay in the Legislative Assembly.

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