“I had, have and will have all the conditions to continue working,” says Joao Galamba.

João Galamba, Minister of Infrastructure, on Tuesday assured journalists in Mangualda that they would still have all the conditions to do their job, as always.

“I can assure you that you don’t have to worry about my focus. I’m just as committed or even more so than I was. The goal is to manage and that is what I will continue to do,” he added.

Joao Galamba said he does not feel weakened by the recent controversy. “On the contrary, every day I feel extremely motivated. Motivated to work and achieve. This is my job, this is my mandate, and this is what I will continue to do, ”he assured reporters at the end of his visit to work on the modernization of the Mangualde – Celorico da Beira section of the Beira Alta line. The minister said he remains “strongly committed” to ensuring that work in the various areas covered by his ministry is carried out “despite the distractions.”

“This is what the minister lacked the most to let the noise affect him. The purpose and duty of the minister’s mandate is to manage, and this is what I do every day and will continue to do, ”he stressed.

Asked about a hearing at the TAP Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry next Thursday, Joao Galamba said he would only answer questions there. “We are here today to witness and see a great work of paramount importance for the country. My job is not to answer to a commission of inquiry. My job is to be Minister of Infrastructure, and it’s out of respect for this territory. , for this work, the mayor of Mangualde, the chairman of the board of Abrunhos and everyone who works here every day, that at the moment my attention is focused exclusively here, ”he said.

The case, filed on 26 April, concerned former deputy Frederico Pinheiro’s allegations of physical assault at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the theft of a laptop after he had been fired. Service (SIS) to recover this computer.

This episode sparked a public disagreement between the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Prime Minister, over the retention of Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba in the government, who resigned, but which António Costa did not accept. .

Frederico Pinheiro has accused the ministry of trying to conceal documents requested by a parliamentary commission of inquiry from TAP regarding notes by a former deputy preparatory meeting for a hearing by former airline executive president Christine Urmier-Widener on the eve of a parliamentary economic committee hearing in January. João Galamba denied the allegations, stressing that there was no cover-up because the notes sent by the former MP in the body of the letter were addressed to the commission of inquiry.