It's because there is "merit" according to what? Certainly not Force Majeure... I think NOPTA made an error there, I can't see how they do have merit on any basis.
The question is, if it isn't a force majeure then how do they have merit for an extension? and on what basis? If it's just on the vibe or the "feel"... lol then I think NOPTA might be the real Dennis Denuto.
Furthermore, it was hilarious in the ~31 January 2022 advice that NOPTA claimed they were the ones that originally identified the Force majeure problem in 2020, trying to take credit for it lol... what suck ups.