By EDISON Okereke
As part of his 3R administration’s Urban Renewal Project in Owerri metropolis, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, has also ordered for the
expansion, rehabilitation, and dualization work including drainage infrastructure to ease traffic on the IMSU Back Gate/Lake Nwaebere Road, from the Wetheral Road end.
Speaking on the project, Autograph Construction Limited, which began work there in early August 2026, says the project is also aimed at addressing persistent flooding and improving road access in the area.
Speaking on site, a representative of Autograph Construction, Engr. Bright Eke, said the firm has been in operation for over 60 years and specializes in civil construction including roads, bridges and tunnels.
“Autograph has existed for decades now, more than 60 years of existence. We are into civil construction, building tunnels, bridges, anything you can think of concerning construction,” Eke said.
He listed some of the company’s previous projects in the state to include Onitsha Road, the DSS road, and the bridge at Añara.
According to Eke, Autograph is handling about 2.5km of the current stretch, while another section is being handled separately.
A key component of the project is a dual drainage system designed to channel water from Wetheral Road.
“The drainage is in two coaches: one is on top, the other is deep down,” Eke explained. “The top one will take water coming from the environment; the one that is down will take away water coming from Wetheral Road.”
Engineer Mike Ihejirika, who is also involved in the project, said the drainage measures about one metre by 80 centimetres and will discharge into Lake Nwaebere.
“We are constructing this drainage. You can see we have almost one metre by 80 of the drainage that will contain the water from that Wetheral Road to this,” Ihejirika said. “I’m telling you we’re 100% sure it will drain the log.”
The area has historically experienced waterlogging during rainfall.
Ihejirika said the total length of road under his section is 1.8 kilometres. He added that while rain remains the major challenge, the project is expected to be completed before December 2026.
“We can’t be sure the time we’ll round it up because we’re into the rainy season. So definitely before December, I think, we’ll round it up,” he said.
Eke assured residents that quality would not be compromised.
“They should be rest assured that we’re going to give them the best. In anything we do we ensure that quality is not compromised,” he said. “You can see the quality of our work, our team of engineers, surveyors, and quality assurance, all hands are on deck for timely delivery.
Ihejirika also commended the Imo State Government for its focus on durable road infrastructure.
“Our Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma is really trying. When it comes to road construction, he’s doing a quality job, and I’m very happy about it.” he said.
Autograph Construction Limited is based at Kilometre 9, Aba Road, Owerri.
