IGDC Solutions, SA’s KIAN Investments Partner to Bring Low Cost Sustainable Housing-Jobs to Africa

Jan. 11, 2012 - PRLog -- IGDC Solutions provides developing communities worldwide with education, consulting, and real world expertise in the creation and implementation of energy efficient, affordable, low cost housing and habitats using modular prefabrication and construction processes.

“We work in support of the estimated 1+ billion people living worldwide without benefit of adequate shelter, clean water and sustainable energy.” said John Noller, Chairman of IGDC Solutions, “Our social entrepreneurship licensing model creates living wages and employment opportunities within local populations. Many people have called this century, the “African Century” but without adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing, African populations will never move forward to reach their intended potential.”

KIAN Investments will develop its first IGDC Solutions licensed fabrication facility in Durban, South Africa, creating jobs and local employment to manufacture, construct, and develop green, sustainable, low cost, zero net energy efficient housing and habitats. The facility will also construct mobile clinics, emergency relief shelters, and schools along with other development projects.  

In partnering with a local developer such as KIAN, IGDC Solutions is able to pinpoint the exact needs of local communities and to ensure that essential elements are incorporated into deals, benefitting both the populations being served and the long term prospects for success of these housing and habitat development projects.

The agreement with KIAN provides for the development of multiple fabrication plants throughout Africa where the need for low cost sustainable housing and jobs presents an opportunity.  The projects will guarantee indigenous jobs at each site, providing not just new housing, but skill building opportunities for workers and a living wage which will last long after any one construction project is completed.  

“This stipulation to hire and train locally is a non negotiable element in all our worldwide deals.  We also make it mandatory in our licensing contracts to increase the percentage of female employees and train them for skilled trades such as monitoring the energy grid, jobs that would otherwise be very difficult for them to achieve.” says Toshia Wildasin, CEO of IGDC Solutions “And in Africa, where 34 of 53 nations are listed on the UN index of least developed countries a good yearly income stands at about USD $200. Housing and jobs can be a tremendous catalyst for change.”

For KIAN, the benefit of having a partner with years of experience in green building that possesses the ability to service such large scale needs in Africa is priceless. “With IGDC’s innovative licensing model of reliable, standardized yet innovative construction methods which relies on local labor, education and skill building, combined with their global supply chain and strategic sourcing expertise we can deliver Africa consistent green, sustainable, and affordable housing.  We couldn’t ask for a better partner for Africa’s future,” says William Mason, CEO of KIAN Investments.  

It’s estimated that the initial IGDC Solutions/KIAN Investments licensed fabrication facility will break ground in early 2012.  Financing for projects will be secured as part of a unique public-private partnership in which UN, governmental, and NGO funding will facilitate development projects and job creation.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

IGDC SOLUTIONS:  Provides developing communities with education, consulting, and real world expertise in the creation and implementation of energy efficient, cost effective, low income housing and habitats in support of all people living without benefit of adequate shelter, clean water and sustainable energy worldwide; they do this while creating living wages and employment opportunities within local populations.  This effort strengthens public-private sector joint ventures that advance sustainable housing and energy development on regional, national, and global levels utilizing a unique educational platform.  IGDC Solutions is committed to developing and creating housing communities that insure clean water and power are available to everyone with long-term affordability in mind, through eco-friendly construction alternatives incorporating zero net energy solutions. IGDC Solutions educational platform is committed to environmental sustainability teaching others to utilize new and innovative processes using recycled and re-purposed materials designed to provide cost effective alternatives to traditional construction practices.  These systems can be utilized as emergency disaster systems following natural disasters, permanent alternatives to refugee tent encampments, mining and industrial housing, schools, and medical clinics that can be deployed anywhere as the need arises.  http://www.igdcsolutions.org
KIAN INVESTMENTS:  KIAN Investments is a leading Africa investment firm located in South Africa with a focus on Energy, Mining, Telecommunications, Real Estate and Public Company Financing.  The African Energy Sector provides KIAN with the ability to selectively provide capital to a broad range of opportunities which take into account both the size and scale of a project as well as the enormous need for energy projects throughout Africa. KIAN has access to alternative and traditional energy technologies & solutions including and not limited to solar, wind, waste to energy, geothermal, hydro, coal, gas and oil. KIAN targets African countries where there are tremendous opportunities for renewable and conventional energy investment and the firm brings operational and economic maturity along with technology which is best positioned to help Africa bridge its current electricity supply/demand gap (primarily with wind, small hydro, solar and coal energy). KIAN Investments and its people are committed to helping in communities where we work and live, and in places more distant, where our ideas, people and resources can make a difference in solving crucial social and environmental issues. http://www.kianinvestments.co.za/

CONTACT:
Joy DiBenedetto
HUM: Human Unlimited Media
www.humnews.com
joydibenedetto@humnews.com

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IGDC SOLUTIONS Provides developing communities with education, consulting & real world expertise in the creation & implementation of energy efficient, cost effective, low income housing & habitats in support of all people living without benefit of adequate shelter, clean water & sustainable energy worldwide; they do this while creating living wages & employment opportunities within local populations strengthening the public-private sector joint ventures that advance sustainable housing & energy development on regional, national, & global levels utilizing a unique educational platform. http://www.igdcsolutions.org.