Sen. Clifford Odia (PDP-Edo Central) on Monday said that the Senate would soon pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The lawmaker assured the people of the Niger Delta that the senate was working assiduously to ensure that the people of the South-South geo-political Zone get some signs of relief, with the passage of the bill.

Odia made this assurance during an interview with newsmen at Auchi headquarters of the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo.

“There are so many of them, but talking about the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), that would be passed very soon. That has to do with the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and their subsidiaries.

“And of course, as a Senator from the Niger Delta, who believes that the bill is indeed very important to our people, for the oil industry to become very well structured, so that our people can benefit maximally, that is the very one that is so dear to my heart,’’ he said.

According to News Agency of Nigeria reports,Odia said that the passage of the bill is to give way for proper restructuring of the industry, adding that the people of Niger Delta would benefit maximally from it.

“The bill seeks to address all governance-related issues in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We need an NNPC that will be smooth and commercially oriented, that can run efficiently and make money,” he said.