NIGERIA, Dec. 2 -- The figures underline the cost of maintaining facilities that have delivered little or no output for years.

The News Chronicle learned that the bulk of the obligations arose from three major entities within the NNPC group. Port Harcourt Refining Company recorded the largest share with more than N4.2 trillion owed. NNPC Exploration and Production Limited followed closely with N4 trillion in liabilities to related parties.

Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company reported N2.4 trillion in outstanding balances. These numbers mark a steep rise from the N6.3 trillion recorded the previous year, reflecting a thirty five percent jump in just twelve months.

The rising balances come at a time when Nigeria continues to rely o...