Benin's president inaugurates China-funded towers

Benin's President Boni Yayi and Chinese Ambassador to Benin Tao Wiguang on Wednesday inaugurated the Cotonou Administrative Towers, a fruit of the cooperation between the two countries.

A project of 15.6 billion FCFA (31.2 million US. dollars), entirely funded by China EximBank, the twin towers of nine floors and 582 offices are erected in a public place facing the building housing Benin's Foreign Ministry, African Integration and the Francophonie.

"The completion of the administrative tower in Cotonou will contribute to the resolution of problems linked to deficit of office space for Benin's administrators and will also increase the efficiency of the executive authority," Housing and Environment Minister Blaise Ahanhanzo-Glele said.

He said the government had decided to relocate four ministries into the new building. The four will include the Ministry for Labor and Public Service, the Ministry of Relations with Public Institutions, the Ministry of Micro-finance, Youth and Women and the Ministry of Secondary Education and Professional Training.

The towers add to the number of buildings constructed by China in Benin since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in December 1972.

Some of the buildings include the Cotonou Conference Center, the Friendship Stadium, the Chinese Cultural Center, Parakou Hospital and the Godomey inter-change.