By Belize Live News Staff: The CEO of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Valentino Shal, is pushing back against allegations contained in anonymous messages that question spending, procurement practices, and senior appointments within the ministry.
Shal said there has been no increase in spending, explaining that all expenditures are made according to budgets approved by the Ministry of Finance. He added that any pauses in project completion were due to payment schedules, not mismanagement.
Addressing criticism surrounding the qualifications of Rural Development Director Charles Galvez, Shal defended the appointment, saying performance and results matter more than academic credentials.
“You can have a PhD and still not be able to do the work,” Shal said, pointing to completed and ongoing projects across the country, including infrastructure and water system improvements.
Shal maintained that the ministry remains focused on delivering results for rural communities and will not be distracted by what he described as unfounded allegations.
