The death of Edgar Heyliger

Mar 09, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

I first met Edgar Heyliger during meetings with the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Asgar Ally. I remember during one meeting the minister telling him, “I am hearing things [about corruption] within the Income Tax Department.”

To which, Mr. Heyliger replied, “You tell me what you are hearing, and I will deal with it.” Edgar Heyliger did not brook any political interference with his department. He was fiercely protective of the Inland Revenue Department.

I later worked with him at the Ministry of Finance when he was contracted to superintend the merger of the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department. His office was modest—indeed, quite austere for a man of his standing. Unlike the others, it was not air-conditioned, and he had to open the windows to let the air circulate. Yet he never once complained.

I gained valuable experience and learnt important lessons from him during his time at the Ministry of Finance. I had a small hand in the establishment of the Guyana Revenue Authority. During that time, he would often regale me with stories of his experiences. On one occasion he spoke about negotiations he led concerning the Guyana Electricity Corporation and how, during one session, he had to inform the other side that he would have to consult his superiors because he did not have the mandate to proceed with a particular request. As a young man then, I took that lesson to heart, and to this day I regard his insistence on never acting outside one’s mandate or authority as one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.

When he was leaving to take up the position of Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), he invited me to his office and asked whether I would come and work with him. I felt it was such a great compliment for him to ask that. But I declined. I have never regretted that decision. But sometimes I wonder….

After he left the GRA – and let it be said he did so on principle – I would often see him driving his grey jeep taking his grandchild to and from school. But I was only able to see him in person on two occasions. The first was at the funeral of his wife, and the second was a few years ago at Dr. Dalip’s Clinic on Sandy Babb Street. Then his sight was fading and he could not see me. But he recognised my voice. And in his trademark way he asked me, “How you doing boy?” We embraced warmly and I wished him well. It was the last time I would see him.

As I walked away, I noticed a woman standing nearby, watching with a certain curiosity. When I passed her, I turned back for a moment and pointed toward him and said, “That there is a man of integrity.”

Rest in Peace Mr. Edgar Heyliger!

Yours sincerely,

William Cox

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