PLANS are underway by the government to start using electronic system in offering certificates of occupancy that will, among other things, resolve land conflicts and fight red tape.
The move, however, is in line with the fifth phase government’s industrialization drive, as investors will need to wait for only a month instead of 77 days before receiving their certificates.
Assistant Registrar of Titles from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr Apollo Laizer announced the plan yesterday in Dar es Salaam during the Integrated Land Management Information System (ILMIS) project stakeholder’s workshop.
The project, which is jointly implemented by the government and IGN FI, is financed by World Bank (WB) with the major objective of strengthening land tenure system.
“Through ILMIS project, the new major component that will prominently feature is the electronic system of issuing the certificates of occupancy,” he said. “Currently, certificates of occupancy are issued manually.
It is a paper- based system, involving bulks of papers,” he said, adding that “from April next year, the first electronic certificate of occupancy will be issued, “he added.
Mr Laizer said the new format of the electronically issued certificates of occupancy will be of a single page, moving from a four-page certificate of occupancy currently being issued.
Mr Laizer said the new certificates will help applicants not to carry their files from the Municipalities to the Ministry and will reduce corruption during processing.
The move will also reduce the burden to the ministry’s officials as they have been spending much time in searching or handling files. “
We believe that time saved will be dedicated to serve the general public as the fifth phase government emphasises on speed and accuracy in public service delivery,” he observed.
Mr Laizer said the error-free system will help bring about confidence between the general public and the government, admitting that there were human errors in paper-based system which ‘disappointed’ citizens and investors.
“The new single page certificate will have less information as there is a security feature which will be stored in a barcode to avoid forgery, simplifying revenue collection by the government,” he stressed. ILMIS Project Manager, Mark Griffin said the project will improve land security.
He said lack of relevant information creates a loophole for confusion and misconceptions, leading to general mistrust among the government officials and applicants.
He added that the current system also contributes to disputes, unethical behaviour and fraud, saying the new system that kicks off next April will help to improve public confidence in the land administration system.
He said the pilot project for the new system is currently implemented in Kinondoni and Ubungo Municipalities before being enrolled throughout the country.
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