The management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, has dismissed a recent publication by Sahara Reporters alleging that students at the institution study in flooded classrooms and live in hostels infested with snakes despite a ₦39 billion budget.
In a statement released on Friday, PTI described the July 10 report as false and misleading.
The institution maintained that there are no such conditions on its campus and challenged the media outlet to provide credible evidence to support its claims.
The statement read that “there are absolutely no flooded classrooms or snake-infested hostels within the Institute. These claims are complete fabrications devoid of any evidence or truth.”
The management further urged Sahara Reporters to present verifiable photo or video evidence if such conditions truly exist, stating that “if such conditions exist as alleged, Sahara Reporters should have no difficulty presenting concrete evidence. Until then, their report remains a reckless misrepresentation aimed at misleading the public.”
PTI emphasized that all its facilities—including lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, and hostels—are structurally sound, well-ventilated, properly powered, and regularly maintained.
The institution noted that it takes pride in providing a safe and conducive environment for academic activities, innovation, and skill development in the oil and gas sector.
Describing the report as a calculated attempt to undermine the school’s credibility, PTI said the publication was the work of “unscrupulous elements seeking to sow discord and cast aspersions on the steady infrastructural development PTI has recorded in recent years.”
The institution highlighted the ongoing transformation across its campus under the current administration, including improvements in infrastructure, digital modernization, and enhanced student welfare.
It also pointed to growing recognition from local and international stakeholders as evidence of the institute’s progress.
While assuring students, parents, and the public of its commitment to safety and excellence, the management called on journalists to uphold ethical standards and verify facts before going to press.
It concluded by saying, “we remain focused on our mandate and will not be distracted by smear campaigns designed to derail our progress.”
