(Ecofin Agency) - In the Democratic Republic of Congo, land management should significantly improve with the introduction of a secure ownership card for land owners, Africa243 reports citing the country’s minister of land affairs, Lumeya-Dhu-Maleghi (photo).

“Only the ministry of land affairs guarantees the credibility of content of the secure ownership card. It is as valid as a certified title as long as it bears the signature of the custodian. The registration certificate is issued in a pair. One copy is handed to the land owner and another is kept in the State’s archives. We have developed this solution to group all key information on this secure ownership card,” the minister explained.

Besides its legal value, the card’s issuance requires no tax payment. A great advantage for the populations that have been complaining about how complex and costly tenure procedures are.

The official highlights that the card will help build “a unique database for cadaster to allow real-time monitoring of the deeds issued and corresponding revenues”.

Souha Touré