In an interview with the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, the Prime Minister underlined the "institutional strength of the developmental government of the developmental state and the industriousness of the Ethiopian people."

He noted that people who had been "trumpeting doomsday stories forecasting that instability will follow in Ethiopia after death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi" were people who were ignorant of these factors. The recent structural changes in the organization of the executive branch of government were made to better achieve the Growth and Transformation Plan. He said the strategies and directions for the plan were fully in place and the major task ahead was now the successful implementation of these.

The Prime Minister also referred to the government's efforts to encourage a public upsurge against the problem of maladministration. He noted that the project of identifying sectors where the problem of maladministration was most rampant was now complete.

This would provide the basis for tackling problems of good governance in a meaningful way. Prime Minister Hailemariam said that most of the Mega projects of the Plan were now underway and on schedule. He also referred to the government measures taken to lower inflation including control of money in circulation and provision of basic commodities in bulk to the public.

He said his government was also working to bring down inflation to single digits by promoting savings, tackling the housing problems particularly in Addis Ababa, creating jobs through small and micro enterprises and by resolving wholesale trade and distribution problems.