 As head of the state oil company and oil adviser to President Sassou Nguesso, Itoua was considered as "one of the country's most powerful men", and he was characterized as "a sort of honorary son" of Sassou Nguesso due to his aunt's friendship with the President.After seven years at the head of the SNPC, Itoua was appointed to the government as Minister of Energy and Hydraulics on 7 January 2005.Denis Gokana was appointed to replace him at the SNPC.