Odemira council opens investigation into unlicensed works at Portuguese interior minister's property

The investigation

The Câmara Municipal de Odemira announced on 14 July 2026 that it is investigating suspected irregular urbanistic operations at a property owned by the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, in the parish of São Teotónio. The municipality stated that no licensing process or prior communication of works is underway for the site at Monte do Corgo da Fonte. "Tendo em conta as suspeitas levantadas de operações urbanísticas irregulares em curso, está o Município a proceder em conformidade para verificar a legalidade destas mesmas operações urbanísticas efetuadas neste local," the council said in a written statement to several outlets, including Observador and Lusa.

What was built

Drone footage captured by SIC Notícias shows a swimming pool at the local accommodation property, contradicting the minister's earlier description of the works. Neves had told interviewers that the construction involved only a tank, three walls, a bathroom and a porch. The council confirmed it received no licence application or communication for the project. Neves acknowledged the absence of a licence but said the step would now be taken. The works are still ongoing.

The contractor link

The contractor executing the works is João dos Santos Carvalho, owner of Construbarcelos, based in Perelhal, Barcelos. The same company carried out works for the Polícia Judiciária in Évora and Guarda between 2020 and 2025, invoicing approximately 1.9 million euros in public contracts, a figure Neves confirmed in an interview with TVI/CNN. Neves stated that for more than 70% of the period during which Construbarcelos worked for the PJ, he did not know the contractor, meeting him only at the inauguration of a project in late 2023.

Quem não deve não teme.

Carvalho, speaking by telephone to Correio da Manhã, declined recorded comments but said everything he did was legitimate and denied any judicial proceedings involving him or his companies. He noted that his firm was accredited by the Gabinete Nacional de Segurança. Portuguese media also reported that Carvalho closed 12 of the 14 companies he founded, with at least six declared insolvent by courts and others dissolved or liquidated, leaving debts to Social Security and the Tax Authority in some cases.

Political reaction

Chega councillor Manuel Matias submitted an urgent request for an extraordinary meeting of the Odemira municipal executive to examine the case. In his request to mayor Hélder Guerreiro (PS), Matias cited the gravity of the public reports and the need for transparency and accountability. He said the meeting should assess whether there are implications for the municipality regarding contracts, administrative procedures or institutional relations.

Estamos num tempo de combate político.

Neves characterised the controversy as political combat, according to RTP. His ministry told SIC that further information, including invoices, would only be disclosed once the renovation is complete. The minister has promised to release all documentation at that point and maintains there was no favouritism.

What comes next

The municipality stated it will handle the matter according to the legal procedures for cases of this nature. The question of how the 5,000 euros Neves said he had already advanced to Carvalho was paid also remains unanswered. SIC reported that the contractor may be working on additional properties belonging to the minister.