Three nongovernmental organizations proposed Tuesday that the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, a primary dispenser of overseas assistance, establish a third party review panel to ensure claims from residents in recipient countries are meted out fairly.

The NGOs called on the government to ensure the creation of the neutral inspection panel to field complaints regarding official development aid projects, such as dams and power plants. The move is needed to heighten accountability and transparency, said Ikuko Matsumoto of Friends of the Earth Japan.

The committee would determine whether claims are legitimate and whether JBIC-funded projects are in breach of environmental guidelines released in April and set to go into effect in 2003.

The proposal also calls for the creation of a mediation panel to handle complaints and help mitigate damage to those with concerns outside the guidelines.