Kingston, Jamaica

Overview:

Known for its strong sense of self identity expressed through its music, food and rich cultural mix, Jamaica's influence extends far beyond its shores.  With luminaries such as the black nationalist Marcus Garvey and musician Bob Marley, Jamaicans are proud of their cultural and religious heritage. Jamaicans have migrated in significant numbers to the United States, Canada and Britain and their music stars are known around the globe. The island is the birthplace of Rastafarianism, a religious movement which has been adopted by groups around the world who venerate the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. Once regarded as a revolutionary threat, Rastafarianism became a cultural force, reflected in art and music.  Since independence from Britain in 1962, power in Jamaica has alternated between the social-democratic People's National Party and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party.  Political stability, however, has not turned into social and economic harmony.  Andrew Holness, a former education minister and leader of the Jamaican Labour Party, became prime minister in March 2016.  He governs with a slim one-seat majority after his then-opposition party beat the party of Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female head of government, in elections.  Among the challenges the government faces is a high rate of youth unemployment and dealing with the country's heavy debt.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Kingston:

The inspection took place from May 15-31, 2001.  This was the first of three embassies being inspected in the spring in addition to Barbados and Nassau.  The OIG team consisted of Ambassador John Monjo who has served as Ambassador to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.  He was a pleasure to work with given his laidback style.  Other team members were Bill Whitman (Deputy), Jackie James (Mgmt), Bill Belcher (DS) and Ernest Fischer (CONS).    Everybody was easy going and I learned a lot from Jackie and Bill.  Both along with Bill Whitman have since passed away.  The Management Officer was Moosa Valli who had the management inspectors over for dinner at his house, which for ethical reasons, is no longer possible today.  I worked closely with Moosa for making hotel arrangements, office space and scheduling our entrance meetings with all FSOs and FSNs for the team.   We ended up staying at the Pegasus (with breakfast included).   Moosa went on to have tours as a Management Officer in Pretoria and Nairobi, CG in Capetown and DCM in Malawi.  He did end up with OIG as a senior Management Inspector in a later tour and attributed his joining OIG to his experience with the team in Kingston. I also worked with Ron Coles, IMO to get everyone set up with PCs and passwords.  The FMO position was vacant for seven months prior to our arrival and a series of TDY FMOs covered the office intermittingly.  The new FMO, Theo Lewis, arrived shortly before we arrived.    

Findings:

The Department’s Office of Overseas Buildings Operations owned an apartment complex called the Crown Plaza that needed a long-range plan for renovation.  In addition to developing a capital construction plan OIG recommended the embassy hire additional staff or assign a facilities management specialist to monitor and maintain the Crowne Plaza complex.  Interesting dynamics with local community that didn't mind if the embassy used it for embassy staff housing but no way did they want the building used for Consular services and issuing visa.  Eventually, the property (changed to Powell Plaza) was sold in May 2019.

 In terms of Human Resources OIG recommended that the embassy establish procedures to terminate post differential payments when employees travel to the United States.  The embassy should obtain approval from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs for personal services agreement authority to regularize the recurring employment of casual hires.  

In the area of financial management there were issues with the receipt of Consular fees through Citibank that needed to be resolved.  The embassy needed to establish a centralized system for maintaining accounts receivable records.  

Highlights:

•    Bob Marley Museum

•    Devon House

•    Blue Mountains

  
                                       

                                   OIG Team Jackie James, Bill Belcher, Bill Whitman, John Mongo and me.

Jamaican Skyline

Devon House, built in 1881 is the former residence of George Stiebel (1820-1896), Jamaica's first black millionaire.  He gained his wealth in Venezuela and returned to Jamaica.  Now a museum. 

                    

Entrance to Bob Marley Museum his former residence and home to the Tuff Gong reggae record label founded by the Wailers in 1970.  Tuff Gong international recording studio produced songs such as "No Woman No Cry" "Trenchtown Rock" "Stir it Up", "Catch a Fire" "Redemption Song", "Buffalo Soldier" and "Could You Be Loved".  The studio is still in use by international music stars.  

Kingston Coastline

Blue Mountains at the highest point 7,402 ft. where the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated