Last-Mile Delivery Challenges in Urban Logistics: A Study of Courier Service Firms in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

This research investigates the last-mile delivery challenges facing courier service firms operating in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Last-mile delivery remains the most expensive and operationally complex segment of the logistics chain in African cities, accounting for up to 30 percent of total delivery costs according to recent industry estimates. The study targets eight registered courier companies in Port Harcourt and collects data from 110 delivery agents, dispatch supervisors, and customer service representatives using structured questionnaires. Key challenges examined include traffic congestion on the Aba Road and Trans-Amadi corridors, inadequate street addressing systems, customer unavailability at delivery points, and security risks in informal settlements. Delivery performance is measured using on-time delivery rates, failed delivery frequency, and average delivery cycle time. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis are employed to establish the relationships between identified challenges and delivery performance outcomes. The study draws on recent urban logistics literature and emerging frameworks for last-mile optimisation in developing cities. It is expected that findings will highlight the need for technology-assisted route planning, alternative delivery points, and collaboration between courier firms and city planners. Results will be useful for logistics operators, urban planners in Rivers State, and policymakers designing frameworks for smart urban mobility in oil-producing regions. Keywords: last-mile delivery, urban logistics, courier services, Port Harcourt, delivery performance.