By THE Management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, has described a recent publication by SaharaReporters alleging poor infrastructure and dangerous living conditions on campus as false, malicious, and an attempt to smear the institution’s hard-earned reputation.
The report, published on July 10 and headlined “Despite ₦39 Billion Budget, Students at Nigeria’s Petroleum Training Institute Study in Flooded Classrooms, Snake-Infested Hostels”, claimed that the Institute was failing its students in spite of a substantial federal allocation.
In a detailed rebuttal, PTI management dismissed the allegations as baseless fabrications, noting that the article lacked any credible evidence.
“This report is mischievous and appears to be the handiwork of those bent on discrediting the progress and infrastructural strides the Institute has achieved under the current leadership,” the statement said.
ALSO READ: https://stonixnews.com/pti-students-urged-to-utilise-education-loans/
PTI categorically denied the existence of flooded classrooms or snake-infested hostels, asserting that its lecture halls, laboratories, and living quarters are in excellent, habitable condition.
“Let SaharaReporters produce one verifiable photograph or video of any such claim. None exists,” the Institute challenged.
It also affirmed that its hostels and lecture spaces are continuously maintained and powered, with well-ventilated and fully-roofed classrooms, adding that no official complaints had been made by students to support the claims.
The Institute further described its campus as one of the safest and most secure among federal institutions in the country, with solar-powered streetlights and an average of 20 hours of electricity daily. Claims that students live in fear were described as pure fiction.
On budgetary matters, PTI clarified that the ₦39 billion cited by SaharaReporters is a federal allocation covering staff salaries, training, capital projects, and other running costs—subject to due process, strict oversight, and accountability measures from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Budget Office, and auditing bodies.
“It is intellectually dishonest to suggest mismanagement without understanding how federal allocations work,” the management stated.
The statement also emphasised PTI’s global and regional credibility, citing past training collaborations with countries such as Angola, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, and recent visits from the Africa Petroleum Producers’ Organization and the Republic of Niger to explore partnerships.
The Institute noted it was on track to become Africa’s Regional Centre of Excellence in oil and gas training.
“We do not outsource hands-on training. That’s the core of our identity and the very reason sister institutions seek to collaborate with us,” the statement affirmed.
PTI accused SaharaReporters of potentially serving the interests of disgruntled elements or attempting to extort the Institute.
“It is unfortunate and shameful that a platform like SaharaReporters allowed itself to be used as an agent of falsehood. This raises serious ethical concerns.”
The Institute demanded an immediate public retraction and a formal apology within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action in line with Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act and defamation laws.
“PTI remains committed to academic excellence, staff and student welfare, and maintaining a functional, safe learning environment. We urge the public to disregard this baseless publication.”
The statement was signed by Management, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun and dated July 11, 2025.
What's your reaction?
