The Bayelsa State Government has tasked National Youth Service Corps members in the state to assist in raising the awareness of rural dwellers on the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

The state governor, Seriake Dickson, made the appeal on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2014 Batch B Orientation Course at Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

Dickson, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Salo Adikumo, said government had taken a lot of proactive measures to ensure that the state and its people are safe.

He urged the corps members to be watchful and report to the relevant authorities if they noticed any symptoms of the disease in their host communities.

While urging them to be patriotic in their one year national assignment in the state, he urged them to bring to fruition all they had been taught during the orientation, by having a positive impact on their host communities.

He said, “This phase of the service year you are about to embark on is very crucial to your personal development, and indeed the advancement of the nation. It is a period, when you are expected to bring to bear the knowledge and experiences you have acquired from your various institutions of higher learning through the orientation.

“Whether you find yourself in a classroom, hospital, government office or agricultural sector, ensure that you do not disappoint your family and the government which have invested so much in you.

“Work hard to surpass the achievements of your predecessors and ensure that you affect the lives of your host communities. You can do this by initiating developmental projects with various organs in your host communities.

“With the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, the state government has taken so many proactive measures to ensure that the state is safe. You are therefore to take this message to all nooks and crannies of the state and do not hesitate to report to the help lines provided and other relevant authorities if you notice any cases in any community.”

The governor, who assured the corps members of their welfare and safety, noted that the government’s investment in security had already raised the tourism profile of the state.