Benin: Bertin Koovi Criticizes the Choice of José Tonato for Energy
The selection of José Tonato to succeed Paulin Akponna as the head of the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines is not unanimous.
SUMMARY
Guest on the program Original Version broadcast on Sunday, June 29, 2025, on TVC, the political figure, Bertin Koovi expressed strong reservations about this appointment, judging it could pose problems of efficiency and governance.
According to the activist from the Republican Bloc, the ministerial task entrusted to José Tonato becomes “excessive”. He reminds us that since 2016, the minister has been cumulating successive portfolios: first at the Quality of Life and Sustainable Development, then to Transport following the departure of Hervé Hêhomey in 2023. After the latest reshuffle, which occurred on Thursday, June 26, the minister is now also given the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines.
“He who embraces too much, holds little,” Bertin Koovi joked, thinking that this accumulation of responsibilities could affect the efficiency of the minister.
Risk of Conflict of Interest
In his argument, the fundamentalist economist voices concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Bertin Koovi points out that the Ministry of Environment that José Tonato still leads delivers administrative authorizations to that of Mines. Combining these two entities under the same authority, according to him, would make Tonato both “judge and party”.
The political actor clarifies he has nothing personal against the minister, but proposes either the appointment of a different profile or the direct takeover of the portfolio by the head of State, with a dedicated associate for monitoring.
“The final decision rests with the President,” he conceded, while calling for a better distribution of responsibilities within the Executive.
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