investment

Dritan Agolli

Ref Batch
R
Focus Area(s)
City Management
Ref Batch Number
1
Country of Reform
Albania
Interviewers
Itumeleng Makgetla
Name
Dritan Agolli
Interviewee's Position
General Administrator of the City Municipality
Interviewee's Organization
Tirana, Albania
Language
English
Nationality of Interviewee
Albanian
Town/City
Tirana
Country
Albania
Date of Interview
Reform Profile
No
Keywords
investment
legalization
public-private partnership
build support
Reform sequencing
integration
reconstruction
monitoring
infrastructure
municipal enterprise
pay taxes
survey
capacity
donors
management
budget
Abstract
Dritan Agolli discusses the municipal reforms that took place in Tirana, Albania, when Edi Rama became mayor of the city in 2000. He talks about the administration’s efforts to reduce illegal construction, improve infrastructure, and tackle special interests. He details how city administrators were able to improve facades, rebuild roads, clean city parks, and build playgrounds. He also discusses how private-public partnerships helped overhaul the city’s public transportation. Finally, he explains how Rama motivated Tirana’s municipal staff and successfully changed the attitude of its citizens. 
 
Transcript
Dritan_Agolli.pdf
Dritan_Agolli.txt
Headshot
dritan_agolli.jpg
Profile

At the time of this interview, Dritan Agolli was the general administrator of the city municipality of Tirana, Albania. He served in several important positions in the municipality under the mayor, Edi Rama, first as the general director of Public Works and then the general director of Urban Planning before becoming the general administrator. Prior to moving to Tirana, Agolli was cleaning supervisor in the city of Fier, Albania. Agolli was part of Tirana’s municipal team that radically improved city infrastructure and service delivery from 2000 to 2010.

Full Audio File Location
Full Audio File Size
51MB
Full Audio Title
Dritan Agolli Interview

Donald Duke

Ref Batch
H
Focus Area(s)
Civil Service
Ref Batch Number
6
Critical Tasks
Depoliticization
Training
Country of Reform
Nigeria
Interviewers
Itumeleng Makgetla
Name
Donald Duke
Interviewee's Position
Former Governor
Interviewee's Organization
Cross River State, Nigeria
Language
English
Nationality of Interviewee
Nigerian
Place (Building/Street)
Calabar
Town/City
Cross River State
Country
Nigeria
Date of Interview
Reform Profile
No
Keywords
tourism
service delivery
service delivery
investment
rural development
Abstract
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke recounts his experiences developing tourism in the Nigerian state.  He explains how investing in education and health care and improving service delivery, agriculture and infrastructure were key components in this process.  Duke goes into detail about how appointing the right people was essential to the task, as well as changing the inherent culture in the civil service left over from years of military rule, and the mediation of conflicts of interest that became apparent.  Duke talks about the need for specific training of civil service staff, as well as the compromises made to accommodate opposition party members.  He explains how required funds were secured from banks and funding agencies, and he emphasizes the need for thorough and accurate data analysis of before any reforms were to be implemented.  Duke recounts how he used digital mapping of the state to influence his investment in infrastructure.  Throughout the interview, Duke explains the need for leaders to be approachable, open to the public and dedicated.
Transcript
Donald_Duke.pdf
Donald_Duke.txt
Headshot
Donald_Duke.jpg
Profile

Donald Duke served as governor of Cross River State, Nigeria, for two terms spanning 1999 to 2007.  During his terms as governor, Duke initiated a variety of reforms promoting business, tourism and investment in Cross River State.  Before running for office, he served as commissioner for finance, budget and planning, and as a member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee and the Federal Economic Council.  He earned a law degree from Nigeria's Ahmadu Bello University, and a master's in law from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Full Audio File Location
Full Audio File Size
245 MB
Full Audio Title
Donald Duke Interview