Bayelsa State Government is to harness the potentials of non-indgenes resident in the state and their ethnic associations as a way of providing conducive atmosphere for co-existence between them and the indigenes,

Towards this end, a conflict resolution committee will be set up to resolve disputes and crises in some of the associations of non-indigenes of the state.

The Senior Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Non-Indigenes Affars, Chief Chinedu Mbah stated this, in an interaction he held with leaders of 50 non-indigenous groups and heads of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Yenagoa.

Chief Mba stated that since no country or state cnould develop without the assistance of outsiders, it became imperative that the unity of non indigenes resident in the state would be to the advantage of government of Bayelsa.

He stressed that development could only thrive in an atmosphere devoid of rancor, anarchy and acrimony, hence the need to asssist government achieve its peace initiatives which is for the good of all.

The SSA, who decried the spate of hatred, division and disunity inherent in the leadership structure of some of the ethnic groups and heads of NGOs, urged them to sink their differences and forge a common front in the interest of harmonious living with their host.

He informed them that his office would co-ordinate and supervise the process of selecting new leadership of non indigenous ethnic groups and that of NGOs as it would not encourage factional leadership that often leads to crisis.

He however urged them to monitor and caution their members from criminal act that could bring disrepute to their associations.

In his response, the leader of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) South-South and South-East, Alhaji Musa Saidu described the appointment of Chief Mbah as Senior Special Assistant on Non-Indigenes Affairs as novel and urged other state governors to emulate the gesture.

He said the appointment, no doubt, would resolve differences among non-indigenes, as well as open a vista for them to benefit from the present administration led by Governor Dickson.

Earlier, the Eze Idigbo in Bayelsa, Eze A.I Ndaguba, lauded the governor for the appointment of a non-indigene, in his administration stressing that the gesture would cement the relationship between Bayelsans and non-indigenes in the state.

The traditional ruler assured the governor’s aide of his support to enable him succeed in office in his bid to relay the problems of non-indigenes to the governor, and drive to improve their welfare and wellbeing in the state.