On August 15, 2024, COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij, accompanied by Aquaculture Chief Scientist and Director Dr. Manoj Nair along with Senior Extension Agent Engly Ioanis, paid a courtesy visit to Kolonia Town’s Mayor Honorable Kummer S. Biza at the Kolonia Townhall.
The purpose of the visit was to reiterate proposals from the previous Kolonia Town Mayor’s administration regarding COM land grant initiatives. These included sidewalk maintenance, improvements to drainage in the current sidewalk drainage plan, and the establishment of staff parking spaces along the road adjacent to the COM land grant building. Additionally, pedestrian safety crosswalks on secondary roads leading to Dainy Street and across from the COM land grant office were also part of the discussions.
Mayor Kummer S. Biza welcomed these proposals and tasked his Administrative Officer, Mr. Master Albert, to take the initiative in assisting the COM Land Grant with these projects. The meeting also touched on the honorable Mayor’s office’s plans for the implementation of urban farming within his jurisdiction, for which they sought support from the COM Land Grant.
Executive Director Lorennij expressed his excitement regarding this initiative, noting that food security, economic development, and health are part of the COM Land Grant’s mandate. He affirmed the organization’s readiness to partner in this effort. He further advised that grants are available for urban farming projects and that specific documents needed to be filled out for review and submission for these grants.
Overall, the conversation was productive, and Mayor Kummer S. Biza showed strong support for the initiatives discussed. Executive Director Lorennij expressed team COMLG’s gratitude to Mayor Biza for the fruitful meeting.
Pictured from left to Right: Mayor Kummer S. Biza, Sr, Extension Agent Mr. Engly Ioanis, Kolonia Town Administrative Officer Mr. Master Halbert, COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij, and Chief Scientist Dr. Manoj Nair