(Cestos, River Cess County): The President of the Republic, H.E. George Manneh Weah, could not climax the 3rd leg of his nationwide tour in a more suitable place than his maternal home of River Cess County.
 

Having toured Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties, where he extensively interacted with the citizens regarding their felt needs, and thanking them for electing him in 2017, the President’s final host was River Cess, the ancestral home of his mother.

The stakes were high, the excitement and momentum were exhilarating, as the President endeavored to catch up with, and reminisced his youth days, in that region and as the people laid claims of fraternal relations to the President.

Sons and daughters of the “County of Natural Beauty” as River Cess is nicknamed, displayed  the beauty of their revered culture, welcoming the son of one their beloved sister, the late Anna Weah.
 

Some wept, some prostrated, some danced beyond control as President Weah's convoy slowly drove along various towns on the main road to Cestos, the administrative seat of the County.

Commercial City of Yarpah Town

 At the first Town Hall meeting in Yarpah Town, River Cess' second largest town and commercial hub, citizens did not hide their feelings about what they  expect of the President, in terms of improving River Cess to be on par with other surrounding counties.
 

“Mr. President, we are happy to have you with us in River Cess, your home. We are happy because we know by faith and by your handiworks that River Cess will not be the same when you leave,” Bob Koffie Zah, Paramount Chief expressed on behalf of citizens.
 

Other speakers presented the President a long list of development priorities, including upgrading of feeder roads, pavement of River Cess-Buchanan road, market structures and many others.
 

Responding to the citizens, President Weah thanked them for voting him to power and for warm reception accorded him and entourage.

“I am excited to be here with you,” he said. “Be assured that River Cess will not be left out in terms of development under my administration. This time, River Cess will not be forgotten.”
 

Having highlighted the many developments government has undertaken over the past three years, the President assured residents of Yarpah Town of his commitment to meeting their needs, emphasizing that government will do more in the last three years of its stewardship.

Sandy City of Cestos

Following Yarpah Town's interaction with residents, the Liberian Leader convoyed departed to the political capital Cestos City for another exhilarating conversation with citizens of the County.
 

“On the books, it is true that my father hailed from Grand Kru County, which is therefore my first home. And  my mother's county is my second home," he told a jam-packed Cestos City Hall.
 

President Weah told residents that several development projects that would benefit River Cess were in the offing including the pavement of the main route and layout of the entire city.
 

The President also pledged to light up the streets of Cestos City just he has done in other places visited such as Buchanan, Tubmanburg, Gbarma and others.
 

At the occasion, President Weah announced a mouthwatering scholarship to up to Masters’ Degree for student Martina Fanciah who eloquently read a position statement on behalf of the River Cess student community.
 

He also announced on-the-spot huge financial support to the disabled Community of River Cess, who appealed for help to venture into soap making.

Cee Town intervention

Owing to his love for his people and desire to interact with citizens no matter where they are, President Weah defied odds and drove deep into the woods of River Cess County to meet villagers, some of whom have not had the opportunity of seeing a Liberian president in person before.
 

Clattering thunderstorms along with heavy downpour of rain could not hold the President back from reaching his citizens spread across the vast land of the 'County of Natural Beauty.'
 

Long queues of villagers in towns along the main route to Cee Town proved worthy of their gladness and unfeigned love for a President visiting and spending a night with them.
 

In Cee Town, the locals, including children, elderly, and traditional people stood in defiance of the discomforting weather and played non-stop throughout the night to welcome President Weah. They kept up the night with songs and dancing till daybreak.
 

The next day, the Liberian Chief Executive turned over newly built apartment units to the residents. The units are a gift for the people from their son, National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Bill Tweahway, in support of Government’s “from huts to home” program.

The President specifically handed over one of units to the oldest man in the town, 110 years old Philip James, whom he personally ushered into the new home.
 

President Weah used the occasion to thank Tweahway for his love for the people, amply expressing in the modern housing units built.

He called on other officials of government to seek and work in the interest of their people.

Deep in the Woods at Bodoweah Town

The President climaxed the tour of River Cess County in Bodowhea Town, close to the border with Nimba County, with a message of hope and development.
 

At the town hall meeting with residents, he said he would do everything within his reach to change their lives and make River Cess a better place.
 

He promised to assist a physically challenged resident who on his own has set up a radio station.
 

“On my own, I will secure for you a transmitter and build a three-room office building for your station,” the President promised. “I am impressed with what you are doing. Indeed, information is vital and our people need to know what is happening around them.”
 

Sharing a light moment with the people over insinuation that serpents usually bite yellow machines to stall road works in the community, the President joked: “I know that snakes will no more bite any caterpillar working to build their road here. A new caterpillar with strong tires will be here, and no snake will be able to bite it.”