Who he is
José Francisco das Neves, known as Juquinha das Neves (Goiânia, 29 January 1947), is a Brazilian electrical engineer — a graduate of the Federal University of Goiás — and a public manager with more than four decades in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
He directed and presided over CELG (the Goiás state energy utility), served as a federal deputy for Goiás from 1999 to 2003, and was president of VALEC, the federal company responsible for building the North–South Railway, between 2003 and 2011.
CELG and rural electrification in Goiás
At CELG, he led an extensive rural electrification program that expanded access to electricity in the Goiás countryside. The program was later assessed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), whose evaluation recorded that the project's physical targets were met above plan; the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) listed it among the initiatives that helped correct regional disparities in the country.
VALEC and the North–South Railway (2003–2011)
As president of VALEC, he oversaw structural works on the North–South Railway, a national integration corridor — including the inauguration of segments in Tocantins.
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit Anhanguera (2011) — the highest honour of the State of Goiás.
- Pedro Ludovico Teixeira Legislative Merit Medal (1997).
- Honorary citizen of dozens of municipalities in Goiás.
Judicial status
In the context of investigations into the North–South Railway works, José Francisco das Neves faced proceedings whose outcomes — a matter of public record — were favourable to him:
- Unanimous criminal acquittal: the 3rd Panel of the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1) acquitted the defendants, unanimously, on 16 October 2023, recognising the nullity of the evidence. The decision became final on 27 August 2024.
- Administrative-improbity actions dismissed (2025): the rulings recorded that there was no proof of misappropriation of VALEC funds and that the court-appointed expert analysis found no overpricing.
In short, the accusations were not upheld by the Judiciary, and the criminal acquittal is final (2024).
Sources and profiles
- Official biography — Brazilian Chamber of Deputies: camara.leg.br
- Wikipedia (Portuguese): Juquinha das Neves · Wikidata: Q30936376
- YouTube: @juquinhadasneves · LinkedIn: profile